mychip1

Thoughts to you on his difficult day of rememberance.

Best wishes.

So sorry for your loss.

Thank you!

Run Free, Groucho! May heaven be filled with baby opossums for you to take care of.

Best wishes - and many prayers.

Many prayers....

Jeff...a little unrelated - but going back to when I registered in June. Because I had started to register once before, my email must have been in your system (removed) so it wouldn't let me use it again - forcing me to use my work one for notifications (removed). I don't really want to do that - but it still won't let me change to the mychip1 account. Any way the old registration of it can be cleared so I can use it again? Thanks.

Actually, he was a track vet for a while. So, yes, he is savvy - and I think that's why he didn't rule out surgery - but clearly wants him in a more clinical environment where there is a cardiologist. I have no problem travelling to NJ as someone mentioned - or the cost involved as taking him to Tufts up here would be a similar cost. My bigger concern was that when he had surgery in 2008, for a soft-tissue cancer and the dental where he lost 17 teeth, he did not have the murmer (same vet) - but he clearly hears it now. He did indicate that if the murmer becomes one that requires medication, then our window of safety for surgery shrinks. To those who suggested Petzlife, I just purchased some of that - and the vet had suggested peroxide. It is such a hard decision - and after losing one so recently, I'm not so sure I'm objective - not to mention having to deal w/DH in this who doesn't want to face making such a call.

My two new boys came right from the track. Not even from the adoption kennels. Their pads felt like silk!! It has been three months of neighborhood walking, and they are beginning to toughen. Your baby's feet will get there!! Eta: sorry posting from phone so hit wrong reply button. Meant to reply to main post.

Absolutely beautiful. And the artwork is stunning.

I, too, am a believer in the "quality of life question". Right now, he actually doesn't seem to be in pain. This morning he ate very well and looked OK. My thought was that when he seems like he is in pain, then we do the surgery. My only concern with that is that by then, the murmer could be worse. My gut was the same as yours....let's do the surgery and make him comfy. But then fear just completely overtook that - not to mention a DH who can't face this very well. EZ and he live together apart from us in upstate NY where DH is stationed in the USAF. The dog is just home w/me because DH is travelling for a few days. They travel back and forth to RI and are each other's best buddies up there. I think dealing w/DH is harder than dealing w/the dog.

I'm so sorry. He sounds like such a special boy.

DH's dog (a senior who will be 10 in October) has always had bad teeth. 17 were removed in 2008. Now the rest are a mess. His mouth was bleeding the past two days - clearly he has an infection - so vet put him on antibiotics. He does not let us brush or clean them at all!! Of course, his appetite is not good - and he has always been a very finicky eater. I put hot water on his kibble the past two days and his favorite thin-sliced bologna as well as spinach and spinach juice which he LOVES. He is eating that better - and antibiotic is doing something right as he still is bleeding a little - but there is no infected "smell". Big question - obviously he needs a dental - but he has a heart murmer diagnosed in 2009. It is not horrible - an ekg showed a slight "leakage" causing it. They said he COULD go under anesthesia (at that time) if he had any procedure that required it. The problem is this - it is another year later, short of doing another ekg, it's hard to know if it is worse - though he does not cough and is not on meds for it yet. DH is very opposed to doing surgery on him at this point. What would you all do? Try to maintain his gums w/peroxide (per the vet) and occassional antibiotics as necessary (though I know the immunity thing is a problem) and cook him soft meats etc., or take the chance on surgery? I can't be very objective on this one since losing my Jack only three months ago (at only five years old) to surgical complications.

Prayers for Joe T. Please let us know.

Run free, sweet Abby.

So sorry for your family.....

I am so sorry for you. Many thoughts and prayers your way that you may enjoy the time that you have left together.

Many prayers....hopefully it's just a corn or a bit of arthritis.... Wishing you all the best.

Many prayers....

Many prayers....

Can't help with the problem with the floors - but something as simple as a towel or blanket under his belly like a sling will be enough to help him up the stairs. I think they even sell something like that with a handle, but a long enough towel will work fine. It gives him just enough support in the mid section without straining anything important!!

Many prayers!!!!

Many prayers for Darcy. Her fighting spririt is inspirational.

Well...as much as I'm sure you're not thrilled with the thought of her doing it too, at least that implies that it is not behavioral on his part. It sounds like with him it has been going on too long for it to be any kind of viral bug, etc....so maybe the Panacur will do the trick!! Good luck.