Greys4Us

:f_red So sorry.

So sorry for your loss, but he was greatly loved and you can take comfort in the fact that he knew it.

:candle :candle Rough time for so many. This board makes it possible for me to keep going on because I see so many who care and go above and beyond. It's like medicine for my soul. Thanks GT.

:f_red So very sorry for your loss. Run free beautiful girl, knowing that you were greatly loved.

Perhaps you can get one of your vets to give you a referral to the Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group in Annapolis Junction, near you. These people are the very best and I think can help with this type of a problem. I have used them twice in the past and only they were able to diagnose the problem and help us. I can't say enough good things about them. They are known all over the country. Look them up on the internet because I don't have their info in front of me right now. Good luck!

Our precious Valentino 8/9/1997 - 3/30/2009

We are dealing with a compressed disc problem currently with our lurcher Otto. Otto loves to walk and last week came back from a long walk hesitant to come up the basement stairs. He started panting and standing still a lot. That was followed by pacing and panting and whining. This went on for a day and we thought that perhaps he had a blockage from eating fiberfill from a stuffie. We had just bought new stuffies for the dogs - Otto is our resident assassin of stuffies and he had his way with them. A trip to the E-vet resulted in a tentative diagnosis of a lower back injury. When the E-vet lifted his tail to take his temperature, he screamed and nipped. We also got a trembling pain reaction from him when we massaged his inner thighs. We took him to our regular vet for x-rays and those revealed the disc problem. This may have been going on for awhile because Otto has slowed down a lot this winter. Currently, he is on tramadol and rimadyl twice a day and Gabapentin once a day, all for pain. He's on total crate rest for at least two weeks and we hope this helps as we surely do not want to face surgery with him. Here are the symptoms we noted: panting and pacing constantly, standing still, reluctance to lie down, whining, trying to recline or lie down without success, difficulty doing stairs (he used to bound up them). There may be other symptoms relating to a compressed disc that Otto is not exhibiting, but hope this at least helps. I also think you might want to look into an MRI. We've had similar problems with other dogs that only an MRI will diagnose. Good luck!

What a sweet tribute and wonderful prayer. Godspeed Toby knowing that you are greatly loved.

So sorry for your loss. Rest in peace little one; you were lucky to have been loved so much.

I'm so sorry to hear of yet another senseless act and suffering because of some irresponsible person who caused this problem. My thoughts and prayers are with Diamond. Nothing is going to change and we will continue to read/hear about these types of travesties until people start to protest and demand that those who are in charge of upholding the law do their jobs. Please sue, report, go to the media, etc. and call attention to this. It amazes me that people still allow their dogs to run unleashed and then get away with the hardships they place on other animals and owners when their dogs attack. I'm reminded of the saying "If you are not a part of the solution, then you are part of the problem." Please please please sue, report, make those irresponsible people hurt. Make them feel the pain. It's not fair for our sweet dogs to suffer the pain and for those who are following the law to have to deal with the heartbreak and expense because of what is caused by this lack of responsibility. Try small claims court to get back the cost of your vet bills. And call the newspapers. There are many people out there who will rally around a case like this. Please don't allow this to be your problem. Give it back to those who are responsible.

What a sweet sweet boy. So very sorry for your loss. Godspeed Clark.

He's so lucky to have been so loved when he needed it the most. Godspeed sweet boy.

We lost our wonderful boy yesterday to osteo. He was diagnosed February 16 and we lost him March 30. What you are facing is difficult because you don't want him to go too soon but not stay alive too long to be in too much pain. Because Val was 11 1/2, we chose pain management and limited his activity. We increased his Tramadol over the course of the month and in the last few days we did notice that he was not getting around as easily and was not feeling well. However, he seemed so normal at times that we constantly questioned whether it was time or if we should give him more time. It is difficult and heartbreaking to let a dog go that is wagging its tail, giving kisses, and eating well. But we had to face the fact that he was declining and the time was close. We let him go in love because we didn't want it to get critical and possibly at a time when our vet was not going to be available. Just know that each day is precious. Make each day special while you can and when he goes, you will be comforted by the memories of the time you spent with him. It's what is comforting me, that I had that opportunity to give him that very special attention. We will be thinking of you.

Mn’s Valentino 8/9/1997 – 3/30/2009 We said goodbye to our precious Valentino today. He started limping in early February. Because of his age, we took him to our vet for an x-ray. The diagnosis was osteo in his upper left leg. We were devastated but knew that this was possible because of his age. We decided to do pain management and get x-rays every two weeks to watch him. In a month, the x-rays didn’t change and our vet suggested we take Val to an ortho vet to have the x-rays read. Val had not changed in attitude and was his healthy sweet self all along except that we noticed some days he seemed to not be doing well and was in pain. The ortho vet could not confirm that he had osteo and felt that perhaps he had a herniated disc which could be corrected surgically. We were thrilled! To make sure this diagnosis was correct, we scheduled an MRI. Our vet told us that the MRI revealed that Val did indeed have osteo in the shoulder area. It had advanced to the point that we needed to make a decision on what to do next. Val had remained stoic all along and because he was such a sweet natured dog, he never showed how much pain he was in. We helped Val to the bridge today. We had to face the fact that he was having a more difficult time moving around and we didn’t want his pain to become unmanageable before we let him go. This was such a difficult and painful decision because he seemed to be so good some days. He never lost his appetite and he loved the tramadol laced treats he got on a regular basis. In the one extra month we had with Val we were on a roller coaster ride – one moment thinking we were going to lose him, the next thinking that he would be with us much longer - and back to facing the worst again. But in that time we had the wonderful blessing of being together one day at a time and knowing that we were given the opportunity to make each day special. We spent every moment we had loving him and giving him extra care and for that we feel lucky. Val was my heart dog. He was my ray of sunshine, cutting through the dark forest some days to add beauty and calm to chaos. No matter what happened, I could always give Val a hug and everything would seem so much better. He was the first dog we adopted after the heartbreak of losing our first greyhound – and after we said we’d never adopt again. We fostered many hounds and then one day Val walked into our house and lives and stayed. He was the dog that got us past the loss we felt. He gave back so much in the years he spent with us. We kept his track name because “Valentino” seemed so appropriate for him. He was the most loving friend a human could have. He loved children, all animals, and was always free with the kisses. He was a wonderful dog at meet and greet events because he loved everyone he met and would always greet everyone with a gentle tail wag and a kiss. He was such a gentle dog and one that never discriminated. He loved everything and everybody. He was our bed buddy. We can’t imagine how the night will be without the warmth of his body somewhere on the bed. God speed our sweet man. Look for Cody, Keisha, Ford, Craiger and Apache at the bridge. Wait for us. But in the meantime you will be so greatly missed here. And you have been so greatly loved.

The crib mattress is great because you can put fitted sheets on it and if there is an accident, it can be wiped off and the sheets and blankets washed. I've dealt with wet foam and will never do that again! If you use memory foam, find a way to make it waterproof!!!

I'd also think possible TBD or nasal tumor. Thinking good thoughts for your girl, good friend.

She would have been proud of such a loving tribute. Rest well sweet angel knowing that you were greatly loved.

Fly had the blessing of being loved dearly and cherished. He is resting in love and will meet you in joy at the bridge one day. In the meantime, your sweet and loving memories will keep you company. Godspeed sweet hound.

What a wonderful tribute. On gentle angels' wings I fly....look for me in the deep blue sky. Rest in peace sweet hound.

We are walking down the same path at the same time with you. You have company. May we get through to the end and know in our hearts that what we did was the right thing to do. Many hugs.

Spent some time there and am so sad at the beauty being destroyed. I can't imagine losing what they have there. May they find a way to get past this tragedy and rebuild. But the natural beauty of the region will take decades to heal.

Here's another link to a great way to remove ticks safely: http://www.tickkey.com/

Same here! We have two dogs and use the ointment. Same price!

Words cannot speak to your pain. I've been where you are and only can say I'm so sorry. Take comfort in the fact that one greyhound was loved dearly until the end and knows it. Hugs to you.

The minute I saw the photo I thought "acorn?" We live on the side of the mountain and under oaks. Our dogs come limping in all the time and the first thing we do is to look for the acorn! We find them in the house sometimes too. Glad that all is OK now!!!!