queenwinniesmom

Oh, no! I'm so sorry you lost your precious boy.

I'm so sorry that you and Bullett are at this stage of dealing with the Monster. Bullett does sound very brave. Our vet recommended Piroxicam (sp.?) after Winnie's amputation 3 years ago. It worked well for her for the pain, and our vet thinks it may even have some tumor fighting properties. Sending good thoughts and white light to you both.

And she can even encourage all of us to do more---that is so true that each act of kindness can make a difference. And the biskies---my dogs react differently to them as well. They will accept almost any treat, but when they seem to know it's Burpdog, I think they salivate! We've received the treats and cakes as gifts, and I always say, "Someone cared enough to send Burpdog!"

You do sound very compassionate, and attuned to your dog, so it is likely that you will know when it is time. I know there will be times that we have to make that most difficult of decisions because they don't always give us a clear sign for various reasons---sometimes that they want nothing more than to just be with us. Sometimes (often, it seems, with Greys) they are so stoic that we can only guess at the pain that they are enduring. If you realize even now that it can be selfish to keep them with us longer than we should, I think you will be very aware of that when the time comes. We need to do what we feel in our hearts is right, and then be at peace with our decision. Remember that they live in the moment, and don't agonize over the future like we humans do. They only know that they are safe and very much loved TODAY. We need to be present for them always, and not let thoughts of the future steal the precious days together away from us.

We'll be sending lots of good thoughts to Deuce. And Queen Winnie will be communicating telepathically, "be well, be safe" thoughts. I'm so glad Deuce and Winnie got to meet in canine at GIG. He looked great physically, and was so obviously happy and secure. You and your husband are taking excellent care of him, and it shows. Continued prayers for a positive recovery.

Hi Jill, how old is Mabel? How long have you had her? My Winnie has been a tripod (same leg) for 3 years, due to osteo. But we've never had any of the problems you have. Have you contacted the girl with Therapaws? She's very knowledgeable. I'm thinking the hair loss may not have anything to do with the amp. Winnie's fur on that side is thick, but she's on lots of supplements because of the osteo. Has Mabel been checked for low thyroid? That often causes hair loss. Good luck with your girl, and paws up from one tripod to another.

Sending prayers for Foxy, and hoping she is home soon.

Oh, jeez, Liz, I hope she's going to be alright. I know it freaks you out when something sudden and unexplained like that happens. I was thinking maybe vestibular disease, but the stiff leg sounds a little different. We'll send lots of white light and get well thoughts to Nimby, and nose kisses from the Queen, who is looking forward to seeing you all at Grapehounds! Nancy

Pat, what a lovely tribute to a brave and beautiful Grey. I saw a post about her on GRTB, and I thought Babe knew more love in her last months with Marilyn and Bob than she might have in her whole life. Though it seems so unfair that she couldn't have stayed longer, at least she had that time with them, and so many others who loved her. And bless you for being with her at the end.

Oh, that's heartbreaking. The poor baby. Run free, sweet Laura.

I'm so sorry you've lost your sweet girl. But you did know when it was time, and it was so important to you that she not suffer. I clicked on her web page---what a beautiful lady! That picture of her on her back with her paws bent---how precious. It brought tears to my eyes, but made me smile as well. How you loved her!

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet girl. Your love for her shines through in every word of your lovely tribute.

I'm so glad that she's doing better, and seeeming more like her old self. I know I said the recovery process would probably get worse before it got better, but saying that is one thing, listening to your sweet girl screaming in pain while you're feeling so hopeless, is another thing. But you're right, I think she's turned a corner. And you have loved her and helped her at every step. You're both doing a great job. And you're still in our prayers!

Oh, I'm SO sorry you've gone through all this only to lose your sweet boy. It's so obvious how much you loved him, and how hard you tried to do what was best for him. To be honest, I didn't have a good feeling when I read your first post because it reminded me so much of when we lost our Buster (at the same age). The decline was so fast. But everyone's hopes were up, just like yours. You've been stressed in every way---physically, mentally, and emotionally. Take the time you need to grieve for Beck, but remember to take care of yourself too. Thinking of you with sympathy.

Oh, she was lovely! I'm so sorry you lost your sweet girl.

I'm so sorry you've lost your sweet little lady. I lost my Patsy to lymphoma too, and the time was way too short. Your grieving is doubly hard because of the suddenness. How blessed she was to have such a wonderful Mom for all those years. Thinking of you with sympathy.

Oh, he was so loved....I'm sorry you've lost your sweet boy. It's doubly hard when it's so sudden.

I'm so sorry you've lost your precious girl. So beautiful.....

Diane, thanks so much for posting this. I kept thinking as I was reading, What a lucky, lucky dog.....Glynnis is an angel! I was also thinking, I hope Aerosmom (Snicker's Mom) reads this too. And I see that she has. That's great. I think it would be informative and comforting for any owner of a new tripod to have an idea of what to expect. And the pictures....especially the last one. He is so regal, so beautiful.

Well, my vets weren't worried about the seepage right after surgery, but a build up of fluid as she recovers could be a breeding ground for infection. Winnie had a little bit of that right before she was to get her stitches out (about 2 weeks), and the vet put her on some antibiotics just in case, but she was fine. Of course, I'm not a vet, just a fellow Mom of a tripod, so I know if you're really concerned, you'd want to consult with your vet. Wow, Snickers went up the steps by herself! I can understand your mixed emotions about that! What a girl! One thing we learn through these ordeals is to never underestimate them. For your peace of mind, it's good to keep her confined when you're not around. But I guess that's a better problem to have than if she didn't want to do anything. It sounds like she is really going to participate in her recovery, and that's wonderful. Keep up the good work, Snickers, you're in our prayers.

I'm so glad Snickers is home. Aren't they amazing? The first night home is usually rough. They could be reacting to the pain meds, and their bodies are still eliminating the anesthesia. Like us, I think it takes a little while for things to get moving inside again. I should tell you that it might get worse before it gets better. But try not to stress---it WILL get better. I think the vet will tell you that the edema in the other leg is pretty normal. I remember reading on CoG a post from someone who freaked out and rushed her dog to the emergency vet in the middle of the night because the other leg was swollen only to be told that she could just put a warm compress on it. So when Winnie's other leg was swollen, that's what I did, and she seemed to like it, and the swelling did go down. The fluid after surgery is pretty normal too. When I saw Winnie for the first time right after her surgery, she was "leaking" watery blood-like liquid. I barged in on the vets when they were in surgery and they assured me it was normal. Do you have carpets in your house? If there are slippery floors, you might want to get a bunch of throw rugs for her so it's not too scary. Please keep us up to date on her recovery. There is a lot of good advice here. And a lot of good listeners. And if you have a specific question, the Circle of Grey folks are very knowledgeable. They have lived through this stressful time too, and there is bound to be someone who knows the answer. Keeping Snickers in my prayers for a quick and uneventful recovery.

Surgery is scary, so it's normal for a Mom to be worried. But these dogs are so resilient. Hope she's doing well--please let us know. I'll be sending prayers for a quick recovery.

I'm so sorry you've gotten this devastating news. There's been some very good advice here, and you are right, we do know how you feel. I know it may be a long shot at this point, but have you considered trying artemisinin? Lots of info on it in the Celebrating Greyhounds Cancer issue several years back. I've had Winnie on it for 3 years---yes, she's still here 3 years post amp (no chemo or radiation). But it was in her lower hind leg, and she was only 8. You just never can tell. With Patsy, who had lymphosarcoma, which is supposed to respond well to chemo, we did everything right. Removed her spleen before it burst and spread, started chemo, which she tolerated well. But less than half-way through, it spread to her central nervous system, and we had to let her go. Knowing you may have a short time with your precious girl, don't let her see your sadness. Try not to let that sadness steal the good days from you, because then the Monster will have won. Make sure she knows she's safe and very much loved, and she will tell you when it's time to say good-bye. That's all we can ask for, and all we can give. You are both in our prayers.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Run free, sweet girl.

Hope she's wagging her tail and feeling better tomorrow!