We have a new baby.
Our old boy Eugene passed on in October of 2013. In my arms in our den. It was time and we miss him daily.
We spent a year with two dogs. It was so nice. We could travel in one vehicle, not worry about them alone together. The two were glued together like sticky rice. And that was beginning to become a problem. We realized that we not only missed having a big, furry dog, but these two could no longer be parted without issues. Gregory would sulk and refuse to eat. Gabby's nervousness began to escalate again.
Along came Emily. She's a gorgeous Pyrenees who came from a terrible situation and had knee surgery for a congenital defect. She's a stubborn love-bug that is built for cold weather, has not a prissy bone in her girl-dog body and because she was an adult (sort of - she was rescued pregnant!) she already has some set-in ways about her.
Back to long hair everywhere, dirt on the floors, and two-vehicle trips, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Time for a furkids update. It's June 24, 2012
I've already blogged about Gregory, the latest addition to our furry family. I know, I was looking for an alpha female, thinking that's what we needed, but as I have come to learn with age and fleeting wisdom, the Universe has other plans. At least I know how to listen. Usually.
So Gregory came to live with us in late February. He has been the perfect fit for us, and since he was the last of his litter left at 5 months old when we adopted him, seems we are the family he was sent to live with. Already Gabby has changed in ways we didn't expect :
she has become more outgoing, accepting of strangers (still with reservations, but at least she no longer runs away) and a little more alpha herself. She's also surprisingly allowed Gregory to torture her as he constantly wants to play. Watching them is a treat and always makes me smile, but now and again I have to remind Gregory that he needs to back off OR I need to be sure there is a ball in Gabby's mouth as she gets too wound up to play nicely. Generally they are great playmates.
Right now Sassy is our biggest concern. Eugene is suffering from old-age related issues, plus laryngeal paralysis (that will have to be another post,) but for the most part, we have his ills under control. Sassy, however, was on a sudden and quick road to death not long ago and scared the beejeezus out of us. She's still not well, and may not be again, but we're trying. (hard to believe in the previous post she was robust and healthy!)
We were thinking she had pancreatitis, based on observation and some tests, but further scrutiny has revealed she likely has Inflammatory Bowel Disease and possibly cancer in her throat.
Now, if you've read about our ordeal with Gracie, you will realize this has not been the best possible news for us. Another animal with a throat cancer. And now that it's possible, do we continue to pay for tests when we may not be able to afford treatment? If not cancer, then what are we dealing with? Last night I sat in my back yard in a cooling summer breeze, watching my big old Eugene heaving for breath and I realized that two of our four "kids" are in a state of decline. Only 6 months after Gracie's death. And I couldn't keep away the tears. Big sighs. We do what we can.
In the meantime, Sassy is on prednisone and a special hypo-allergenic diet to help calm her digestive tract. She's slowly regaining the weight she was so rapidly losing. It's taken nearly 2 months to stop her decline. Seeing slight improvement is hopeful. I wish they lived forever.
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Update, January 4, 2012
It's overdue, really.
Gracie passed away quietly in October, 2011. Our house has been very quiet ever since. I still cry when I talk about her, so I don't much. We miss her mightily.
Eugene is now having difficulties with arthritis in his hips and knees and with his size, that's worrisome. He doesn't hear as well and sleeps a lot. Basically, he's an old man and there isn't anything unusual about his health for his age. He has been my buddy, my Big Dog, ever since the day I brought him home almost 12 years ago. He turns 12 this month.
Gabriela, our sweet hound, misses her Alpha dog Gracie. She seems lost without the guidance of her former pack leader. Eugene can't (and shouldn't) run around with her like he used to do. We are ready for a new pup, and so is she. We know the right one will come along when it is time. We need a gentle, yet playful, Alpha. In the meantime, Gabby still is our lovable clown-hound who loves to snuggle and makes us laugh with her silliness. Although still not fond of strangers, she's at least reached a place where she'll remain in the vicinity when one arrives. Her curiosity is finally winning over her fears, rather than the other way around.
Sassy Cat will be 12 this June, or thereabouts. Since all of our furkids are rescues, we rarely know exact birth dates. Sassy remains healthy, chubby, feisty and rules our household simply by being a cat.
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Below is where I began this page July 2010. My new updates will fall in reverse order above.
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Since I've been blogging so much recently about my furkids, more specifically Gracie, I decided it's time they get their own page. That way anyone interested can check in here. I'll just update her progress or decline, but still post on the main blog is something moves me to share.
So, that being said, Gracie is maintaining very nicely. We tried herbs to soothe the cancer, but twice she became ill and she canNOT afford any setbacks. So, alas, there isn't much more we can do but wait until her time here is completed. I'm beginning to think perhaps her purpose with us is to remind us of the virtue of Patience.
Update 8/11/2011
I don't know what exactly happened yesterday, but Gracie decided to join the other pups in the garage and eat a normal meal out of a dog dish along with them. THAT hasn't happened in nearly a year, since she dealt with the vestibular syndrome. I nearly danced with GLEE. I don't know if it's a fluke, or it takes that long to get over the VS or if it's her "last hurrah," but to me it's astounding. Gracie, the Miracle Girl, continues to amaze.
Update 8/25/2011
I do these updates because I have a number of friends who want to know how Gracie is doing and this makes it a little easier.
Gracie continues to eat well. She hasn't been syringe fed in a couple of months now and continues to several meals a day, plus eat her dinner out of a bowl with the other pups. yahoo! but alas, she is not gaining weight. The tumor is getting larger, yet she is still feisty and playful at times and loves to sniff around the yard. She never reacted to the earthquake, but then again, I was upstairs with Gabby at the time and don't really know. Gabby DID react to the quake, as did I, when the house began to shimmy and sway and everything inside rattled and lurched. I CAN tell you ALL of us can move pretty quickly, including old Gracie, when we need to! Except Sassy-cat, who seemed unperturbed and watched us from her perch near the door as we were dashing through. By the time we reached the porch door, it was all over and Sassy looked at us as if to say, "See? Big deal about nothing." Ahhh, the non-chalance of a cat.
Update 9/24/2011
Gracie continues to astonish us with her resilience and will to survive, in spite of the odds against her. I would not say she is fighting a heroic fight, nor that she is brave. She simply is.
A fabulous canine being, teaching us more about life with each day that she stoically manages to exist without complaint or fear.
The other furkids may or may not understand and simply go on with their daily lives as well. A side lesson in learning to be in the moment and not worry so much about what may or may not happen, and letting go of what has already passed in time.
I didn't say I was good at any of it...but I am taking notice.
Gracie's Story -blog entries in chronological order:
(I'm not sure I have these all right, but I need to stop now and will check later.)
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Gracie.
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Canine Vestibular Disease/Syndrome
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: October!! Dogs, Art and Life, ohmy.
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Gracie
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Gracie
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: For the Life of Gracie
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Why Gracie is still Here
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: In Honor of Feistiness
Mostly Art with Stray Musings on Occasion: Gracie Has Other Ideas
