Xan

Thanks, folks. JJNg/Jennifer, we haven't "met", really, but I've seen some of your posts. You seem to speak with authority. You're a vet? Thanks so much for your input. Brilly is off to the vet this morning, after a quiet night. We'll see where we go from here. I have a lot of studying to do, eh?

Christmas eve, our 10.5 year old guy had his first seizure. It was ... well, if you're reading this, I bet you can imagine. Scary. I thought we were losing him, and we took him to the e-vet as soon as he was clear of it. They sent us home with some valium in case of further seizures. 23 days later, tonight, he had his second. (After some restlessness, he settled down, and rested quietly for the rest of the evening. Knock on wood!) He's getting a little wobbly in the rear, and has unilateral laryngeal paralysis, as well. Also on our table is 7 year old greyhound Pogo, who has bumps, at least one of which (we haven't had every one biopsied) was hemangiosarcoma. Several were removed last spring (and one of the wounds grew quite large before it was able to granulate and heal), and he has a few I'd like off now. Then there's our 16 year old cat, who's suddenly finicky about his food, and losing weight. Which is to say, we have to pace ourselves with the vet bills as much as possible. We're both self-employed, and it's been a tight few years for us, as for so many. So (you still with me??), DH is reluctant to even involve a vet with Brilly's seizures. He had a cat years ago who had seizures every 6 or 7 weeks, and they didn't do anything about it. He was raised Christian Science, and though he doesn't believe in the religion, let's just say the no-doctor thing has left its mark. Help me out. What's been your experience with your seizure dogs? Did you take them to the vet every time? Did you begin medication right away after the first seizure? Did it actually help? What else, if anything, helped? Because I know the rules, here's my blond bombshell, Brilly (with DSD and grandson). Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with us! Edited to get his age right. When did he get so old??

Feeling for you!! I hope Cody feels better soon, with nothing too weird to deal with!! :hug

What a wonderful, LONG life you were able to share with your girl. I know it's never long enough though. :bighug

Oh no. I'm so sorry it came to this. I mean, it always comes to this, and always too soon, but we all hoped you'd have more time together. Gentle hugs to you all ... :bighug

Had to come find you here to see if you really meant Truman! Oh, Lori. My heart is breaking with you. That big beautiful boy was a real crush of mine, and I'll never forget the times we spent together, here at our place, at that dog park in Everett, and even in Solvang. Those big, somewhat troublesome guys can also be real heart-breakers, as Pogo has taught me too. Big hugs to you!! :bighug

RIP Giles. My deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.

I think "virgin" is right. (... quick search to make sure ... ) Yeah, that's the good stuff.

Just make sure the oil you buy is VIRGIN RAW, not processed (which is only good for ... lubricating things?) At this time of year, CO is pretty darn solid here. I've been using less than a teaspoon for my three hounds, just gouging it out, sticking it to the rim of the sink, and jamming the toothbrush bristles into it, some for each side. I rinse the brushes with super-hot water. I've also been using electric toothbrushes on all my dogs over the years. There's some initial "hey! what the ...???", but then I think they take to it easier than regular brushes. Maybe the buzz is sort of interesting feeling? *shrugging*

Argh. The waiting is so hard, then the knowing ... :bighug

Ah, that has the same basic ingredient as the CET rinse. It did help, at least with breath, but it's expensive for multiple large dogs. Hm.

This is all heart-breaking, bracing, and informative. My heart is with you, Laur, and to others who've already gone down this rocky road. I'm going to talk to my vet about the valium suppositories for the future. My guy isn't too bad, yet, but this is giving us a glimpse at the future.

My heart goes out to you, Laur. My Brilly is working his way through the progression of this disease, and I've wondered about stuff I can have on hand if he does go into respiratory distress. I assume it would have to be injectable, since he wouldn't be able to swallow anything safely at that point.

What's the spray you're using? I'm a big fan of coconut oil, but haven't used it for teefers yet. Hm! Have to try that!

Yeah ... Goes with the territory, doesn't it. :bighug

I'm so sorry. What a huge loss! And what a wonderful family you were to him, and he to you. I was just thinking this morning, starting to feel my own losses crowd in on me, that each loved one was also a gift, a time of sweetness, a chance to love and make memories, to share, all the time knowing it was fleeting. All those memories, so sweet or just comfortable when they were made, are now like framed photos, mementos of a wonderful trip taken together. They were reasons to smile at the time: it honors my beloved ones not to make every thought of them heavy and sad, but to keep their gifts of happiness alive even after they've gone. It's hard, especially at first. But I hope for you Robin's memories will soon come back to being reasons to smile, laugh, and remember the love with warmth and joy. :bighug

It takes as long as it takes, I guess. I still find myself suddenly caught, and sob and wail over Wabi, gone just over a year, and choke up over the loss of my first-best-friend Hobie, who's been gone for 9 years. They do make way for new loves, but they never quite let go, I think. I'd rather bear the scars than lose the memories though, if that's the trade off. I try to remember Wabi's lesson, which was to live life with joy in the moment and with joyful anticipation of the next one, despite any current pain or annoyance. It seems disloyal to her, somehow, to spend the time thinking of her in sadness rather than in happiness. Maybe that idea can help you, too?

That crazy mutt was a lot of dog! Hugs to you on her Bridge Day, Robin.

The size of the dog has so little to do with the size of the hole they leave when they're gone, eh? :bighug I'll salute your little DC this evening, and think of you all.

That's so good of you!

What a character. How many of us muttered, "Famous last words!" to the line, "When Cosmo came to stay with us we weren't looking for another dog." We don't always choose each other consciously, but how fortunate we are when The Right Dog finds us, however and whenever it happens! Such wisdom here! :bighug

Silly girl!

Yes. This is the lesson I try to keep at the front of my mind!

I have thought of that, Cheryl. Maybe someday I'll actually do it. I have a folder on my computer with some ideas .... It would just mostly be a labor of love, since there's so much competition out there, but maybe a publisher would take it on and market it ... Meanwhile, gotta make a living!

Aww! Yes. I love that so many have been warmed and taught by this little sprite, who was with us so briefly! That her symbol is so ubiquitous that we keep being reminded, and so humble that the lesson is clearly about valuing even the most mundane blessings. She was a Real Dog; a poop-eater, bed-stealer, snot-slinger, with bad dog-manners, but she was all the more precious for all the moments of exasperation and amusement, love and quiet companionship. Just like her name, she was a Wabi sabi dog. :wub: