dex95lucy

My little fifteen year old Dexter had been on prednisone from time to time due to back issues. He always gained weight then, I swear he gained from eating fuzzies off the floor. Takes me forever to get his weight down. Currently he needs to lose one pound and he is so much slower these days that exercise is not as much an option to help him. He is receiving less than one fourth cup twice daily of Kirkland. He gained weight when I was away for prolonged periods and my nephew thought that one fourth cup just did not look like enough! I have ramps and steps throughout the house to keep him from jumping anymore. The two greys are comical with him. I taught them to be very cautious around him. Bankroft, nine, acts very respectful, carefully positioning herself on the sofa to avoid him, gently nosing him to "check" on him. Millie, on the other hand, has been banned from Dexter's sofa as she takes his spot or steps on him. Problems can occur when all four dogs,(two greys and two mini dachsies) are all excited. I sometimes must scoop up Dexter to protect him. I have seen him outside doing a roll when one of the greys ran past and knocked him over. Dexter also had a torn cruciate ligament repaired in the past. He seems a bit more fragile than his son, who seems to be tougher and sturdier. Greyhounds and dachshunds are an interesting mix in the house, aren't they? good luck, and how is Larry doing? sue

Have you considered an animal communicator? My heart goes out to your whole family. I would just feel so helpless. sue

What a beautiful tribute for your sweet angel! You were blessed to have had him for eight years. What an honor.. I am sure the pain and anger must be horrible right now. But surround yourself with the caring thoughts from those who share your pain. The day will come when you will smile through your tears at the memories of the years. sue

Oh, Deb, what fun!!! I do not know how long this will last with Cindy since she was spayed, but I would suspect it will be of a shorter duration than what I dealt with. While on the farm Bankroft had been in season the first week of October. I brought her home well after the season was over, but she suddenly developed swollen mammary glands and I freaked out, wondering if she was going to have an "oops" litter, as this developed exactly nine weeks after the fertile time of the season. Luckily, she had no puppies, BUTT she DID have a litter of eight stuffies. All colors and sizes. What a time I had. One by one she chose them from the stuffy basket and carried them into her crate. She treated them like puppies, cuddling them close to her, would not always leave the crate unless I protected it from the other dogs, was fussy and snarky to the other dogs when they got anywhere near the litter. This went on for weeks and weeks with her spending most of the time in the crate with them. Finally she started taking the stuffies out one at a time and leaving them out, weaning them. The last one was a big flat orange one and she mothered that one for a long time. She sometimes managed to carry it outside, crying and fussing. She would have to pee, but would not want to put her baby down. It was rather sad to watch sometimes. I usually managed to take and hold her stuffy on her way out the door. She would do her business quickly and run right back in for her baby. Finally she started to walk away from it from time to time. I disappeared it one day and she was fine from then on. But what a time! Fussy, cranky, snarky with the others, but very loving and protective of her "litter." I do have pics and will post if I can find them. I more or less just let it run its course. It was quite distressing to try to take the stuffies early on, as these were her puppies. So I just went along with it instead of trying to fight Mother Nature. At least I did not have to clean up after them! They were considerably cleaner and quieter than the real ones. sue

Pat, you have no idea how badly I wanted to keep driving to your home after work last night, but it just was not feasible. Just wanted to be there for you and Zeus and the rest of the Philly pups. But part of this experience is also a private and solo journey, sharing the last moments with him, crying the hot tears as we release them. You know that I am a phone call away. Peace to you, and to dear Zeus, who gave so much and asked for so little. Pain free, worry free now. Zeus you know that we will take care of your mom, until you meet again. love, sue

Our vet is totally greyhound savvy. Her practice is Greys and Strays. She recommended Comfortis and it wiped out all fleas permanently from the farm dogs. Though it says it does not kill ticks it seems to repel them on my dogs here at home. I live in the woods and ticks are a big problem.Dogs do not get ticks but I do. Just took off one tonight. None of the farm dogs, my home greys, or my little dachshunds have had any problem with the Comfortis. It was a miracle for us. I get the size for the largest dogs and break one in half for my home greys, per vets recommendation. She is very cost conscious. I break it into six pieces for the little dachshunds, and each gets one sixth of a tab. It also seems to last longer than one month and I only give it every six or eight weeks now. Have not seen a flea since I started using this, and we had a DREADFUL time prior to Comfortis. Frontline was a big waste of money for us, as were the other well known products. Hope this helps. sue

I just learned that one of my favorite puppies I worked with has died of a tumor. She had been sent to Georgia and Maxine just received a mail that she wasn't eating and had lost her stamina. Vet found a tumor. That's all I know. She was probably the sweetest of the puppies in the two month old litter when I started work at the farm. My nephew fell in love with her and has been bugging me to make sure her owner knows that we would buy her back if he does not want her. I dread telling him. He will be devastated. My current screen background happens to be a pic of them together. She is the sister of Tawny, who Paul (ownedbyfour) is currently fostering. Three years old. I am heartbroken. sue

For some reason every time I came to post here I just burst into tears and could not type. I am just so sad that you had to let her go. Know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers for this loss, though I could not post sooner. How wonderful that you could give her a day of treats and your deepest love, imprinting your heart on hers, as she also was preparing to let go of her family. hugs, sue

Shirley, my angel Bessie died from anesthesia, so whenever ANY pet needs surgery you can imagine how I feel. I pray and pray and am out of sorts until I am sure that all is well. Let us know as soon as you can. hugs, sue

No words, just tears and condolences.

Pennies in a soda can worked wonders in my home with all my greys. They hated the sudden loud racket and learned very quickly to stay away from the cats. With my first grey, angel Bessie, one cat, the one I expected to never come out from hiding, frequently was found to be sleeping with Bessie. Never thought I would see that. Current greys are now turning away from the cats, but none sleeping together yet. Cats go nose to nose with both greys when they are laying quietly on the floor. Never thought I'd see that either! Good luck. sue

I am so sorry for your sudden loss. It sounds like she did not suffer, which is a blessing. It is so painful to see them hurting. But my heart goes out to your family for the shock and grief you are suffering.

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. For me, I always thought of the phrase, rather a day too soon than a day too late. I cannot bear the thought of my dear ones suffering when nothing can help.

I'm crying with you, Pat. You know that. Rejoice in the memories. Feel their comfort.

The tears are flowing and I just keep repeating, how can they bear it, how can they bear it, ... I cannot begin to imagine the grief you must be feeling. May your good memories surround you with comfort. sue

What a heartwarming tribute! May your wonderful memories surround you with comfort and peace. sue

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I am sure you typed it with the tears freely flowing. I suspect Augie was with you. May you find comfort in all your wonderful memories. My deepest condolences to you and your family. sue

Oh, Deb, what a shock. I am so very sorry. So hard to understand why things happen. Maybe down the road it will make more sense. But for right now we are all hurting for you. sue

Terry and Charlie, my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Lost way too soon, but at least she knew pure peace and happiness in your home for a time. sue

My deepest condolences to your family for this loss, at a time of year that is supposed to be joyful. May your sweet memories surround you with comfort. sue

Prayers for your family. sue

Leslie and Jennifer, and all who loved Phantom, my deepest sympathy to all of you. We have had way too many losses this year. May the good memories help to ease your pain. sue

I am so very sorry for your loss, after too many others and you feeling poorly yourself. Sometimes we wonder if and when it will stop or at least slow down. Prayers and hugs to you and your family for the strength to continue, and comfort from your good memories. sue

Thanks Jeff and Trudy, for making this available to us. Greytalk has been a lifeline for me when I needed cheering and laughs to recover from the devastations of life, the most tremendous source of comfort when I lost Bessie, and the best place to research medical and training problems. sue