Ree's Culinary Adventure

As if the uncertainty of Todd's diagnosis wasn't enough on the week of November 14th, something happened that totally took the focus off of him. 

~Todd says if it's not about him, he's taking a nap~

It was late afternoon on Thursday the 17th - I remember hearing 'a noise' but instead of going to see what it was, I decided to ignore it. Big mistake. Huge mistake!  Because when Carl got home not long after that, he found that one of my leather hand-bags had been chewed up and eaten - Whatever you call it, I didn't have to try and decide which dog had done it, because this had Ree written all over it. I frantically looked for any pieces that may have not been eaten, and found none, but I was at least able to account for most of the brass-hardware that belonged to it. 

~What's left of my bag~

--- And this is where I'll add that the 'crossbody-bag,' a gift from a good friend a few years ago, has always hung in that same place in the spare bedroom when it's not being used -- Ree had to jump up to get it off its hook, which is the noise I heard-- Whatever possessed her to do it remains a total mystery, other than she's a Lab, and that's what they do. ---

So, back to my story.... With no signs of the about 6-foot handle/strap and the full leather flap gone from the bag, and fearing an intestinal blockage because leather of course doesn't breakdown, Ree and I were off to the emergency vet. 

Thankfully the closest emergency vet could see her -- We didn't have to wait long before they took Ree to the back to induce vomiting and take x-rays - which was done twice. After almost 3 hours, Emergency Vet came out and told me that she thought what was left in Ree's stomach, even a couple of the small brass rivets would 'pass normally.' 

With that news, I was able to breathe a little bit easier, but Ree wasn't totally out of the woods, and I was told to watch her closely, because a blockage was still a real possibility. So, for the next week, we watched Ree's every move, inside and outside. I'll spare you the graphic details, and just say that despite it all, we did see pieces of my chewed up bag again and I'll add that Ree was totally unaffected by it all and was totally herself. And as for me, I was totally exhausted. 

It's now 9 days since Ree's culinary adventure, and she still appears to be no worse for wear. I'm told that there's still a chance that an intestinal blockage could still occur. Of course I'm hoping, hoping, hoping that it won't, as I hope for a new Dooney and Bourke handbag for Christmas. I wonder what Ree is hoping for? 

Todd's Diagnosis

It's Thanksgiving day and I'm looking back at the hurdles we've had to get over just to get to this day. I'm not even sure where to start because its not been the best few weeks for us. 

On the morning of the 14th, I dropped off a very nervous Todd for his rhinoscopy. The Internist called afterwards and said that his sinuses looked healthy and clear, and there was no evidence of anything lodged there,  no masses or polyps or inflammation. Biopsies were taken, and the wait began for those results.

After work I picked up a very "stoned and spaced out" Todd who wanted nothing to do with me, which was okay and understandable. And so we went home for him to sleep off the anesthetic. I'll add here that the vet said that as he woke up from the anesthetic, he was very feisty and chewed through his IV. 

The biopsy reports were returned a week later, and I spoke to the Vet yesterday about them. It was mixed news as there was nothing obvious such as cancer, (thankfully!!) or an infection. The diagnosis is "Idiopathic Rhinitis" which simply means that there's no specific cause for his coughing, snorting, sneezing, etc. It could be triggered by something environmentally or an allergic response to something airborne inside the house. 

The vet wants to put him on a very heavy dose of steroids', to see if that helps -- But I am reluctant to do that because of the dose, and the long-term side effects that will come with it. If I decide to do this treatment, Todd needs to do a "wash out" of the anti inflammatory medication he is currently on, (rimadyl) so I have about 5 days on my side to consider it. 

It has been 'crushing' that there have been a 2-3 episodes of sneezing and coughing. But Todd seems happy and in good spirits and he is continuing to defend his turf from all the gangs of marauding deer and that's what's most important.  

And finally for those of you celebrating Thanksgiving today - I'd like to take this day to tell you how much I appreciate your stopping by my blog, leaving your thoughts and how thankful I am for your cheering us on through our highs and lows. I hope that your Thanksgiving day is filled with the best new memories! ❤

Photo above is Jack - It was two years ago yesterday that we met he and sweet Shelby. After what can only be described as a period of his mourning her loss, he is back to wanting to retrieve tennis balls again and be with us. 

Milo Arrives at Golden Pines

With the losses we had this past summer, I'm so excited to welcome to Milo to Golden Pines!  

~Introducing Milo!~

At 9 years old, Milo does not come to us as a foster dog, but via a private owner who is working 2 jobs and feels that she no longer has the time to give Milo all that he needs. A friend had seen Milo posted online in September, and so I contacted the owner, and the rest is history. I'm grateful to her for giving us Milo and trusting us to give him a good home and be his new family too. 

~Milo's online profile-photo~

The intros to Milo's new packmates has gone really well. Usually we limit the dogs interactions with the newcomer just to give everyone time to get to know the new-kid and for them to get used to the vibe of their new home and not be overwhelmed. We didn't have to do that with Milo because he has fit right in and all of the dogs like him. And when I woke up and found Milo sleeping on our bed last night, I'd say he feels right at home. 

~Daisy showing Milo what to do and where to wait for treats~

Milo is really a nice boy, and has a fun playful side that you cannot help but smile at. We are enjoying getting to know him, and for the chance to be part of the next chapter of his life. 

Welcome Milo! 

For Coppa's Girl

Dear "Coppa's Girl," 

I know this post is past due, but I hope you understand that I didn't want to leave a reply to one of your comments, because I worried it may be overlooked. 

But I wanted to let you know how sorry I am about the loss of your girl, Inca, in October. You'd mentioned her in many of your comments, and I felt like I knew your beautiful Lab through you. I know that Inca had a wonderful and full life, and your beautiful companion left this life knowing she was loved, adored and treasured -- And all that and so much more are what Inca took with her as she left this life for the next, and is and will always be a part of you both. It is that love and so much more that will always keep you connected to one another. 

I know your house feels empty without Inca. And so I hope that when the time is right, you'll once again consider opening your heart and home to a dog that needs someone like you to love and adore them, just as you did your beloved Inca, who's loss, I am truly sorry about. ❤

~A "Rainbow Cloud" from a storm we had not that long ago~

At The Specialist

The start of another week is on the horizon and it's bringing an extra day off work. I have plans on how I'm going to fill my Tuesday, but we'll see what it turns out to be. 

Not that I ever have to worry about the use of spare time. This past week ended with Todd finally seeing the specialty Internal Medicine Vet. I made the appointment nearly six weeks ago, so it was highly anticipated. 

Todd has been feeling pretty well for the most part. He's had days where he didn't cough/snort/sneeze at all, and other times where it could be heard throughout the day and he couldn't breathe through his nose at all. This past week was a particularly difficult one for Todd, so I put him back on an antibiotic, and that seemed to have again knocked down what appears to be a reoccurring infection.

At the specialist, Todd was a pretty nervous boy. Unfortunately, we didn't get a 'confirmed' diagnosis as I hoped we would, and as they initially thought they'd be able to provide. The Internist really thinks Todd has some kind of an 'infection' that there's no real cure for, and so she wants to do a rhinoscopy-- so we've scheduled that for the 14th of November. Given that this whole thing with Todd's blocked sinus began suddenly, I am holding onto something being lodged in his big Scottie nose even though the specialist says this is very rare, and not likely. But Todd has no real symptoms of this infection she mentioned - no nasal discharge, swelling or tenderness - so we'll see who is right, and who is wrong. 

It was a really busy day - Todd and I were exhausted afterwards. We came home and took a nap.