Good News and Not So Good News

~Sammy~

Feeling pretty confident in my dog-handling abilities, I took 4 of the dogs to the vet today.  They were all relatively simple appointments, so how hard could it be?  Thinking about it now, maybe I'd not used my best judgment when I made the appointments.  But I did get help when I arrived at the office which was really nice. The errands that I ran afterwards were made easier when I threw a handful of crackers behind me and the dogs forgot about wanting to jump out the door when I opened it.  

It was good news for Sam. Some of you have seen on Facebook where Sam has lost 14 pounds since his last visit.  He contributes his weight loss to healthy eating, lots of exercise and not snacking too much in between meals!  He makes it sound so easy!

The other two pups, Sheba was there to have her eye rechecked and Bubba for blood-work so he can continue taking the Rimadyl for his arthritis.

~Hamlet~

The other pup I had with me was Hamlet.  I've not really mentioned anything about him lately and thought I'd give you an update since I know that there are some of you who are pretty fond of him. I don't quite know where to start.  As you know, he had his last surgery in late November.  Since that 2nd surgery he's been taking Chinese herbs to slow the return of the tumor.  In comparing the time that has passed when he was taking the herbs verses when he wasn't taking them, I really feel that they have worked pretty well and have given him some good time.  But the tumor has returned, just as we knew it would.  What was once the size of the palm of one hand, is now the size of both hands, and is growing relatively quickly.  There has been a change in Hamlet in the past week.  While he still has a great appetite, is very much a part of the group and my shadow on our walks and around the house, his energy level has dropped.  When he's resting, I notice him breathing heavily, and sleeping more soundly.   The vet recommended we put Hamlet back on pain medication, in case he may be having come discomfort.  I don't know what any of this means, and don't feel that another surgery is an option...I just hope that when the time comes to make any decision on the path to take, we'll both know.  Send some hope and prayers for Hamlet if you think about it, okay?

~Hamlet~