ZoomDoggy

Aw, adorable bookends!

In MN we're no strangers to sub zero temps in the winter. Coats and boots for walks should do the trick. The boots are especially helpful if you're walking in areas where they may salt the roads and sidewalks. That salt BURNS the paws. As long as you keep a nice brisk pace, they should be fine with the cold. Make sure you mind their ears though. Those thin ear tips can be frost bitten easily in subzero weather. For just a quick "dash & pee" in the yard, I don't bother with coats even in a subzero stretch. They just run out, do their business and run back in. And I NEVER leave them outside unattended.

My friend Michael was only 45 when he passed. I have known him for over twenty years. If nothing else, this has been a harsh lesson that having a contingency plan in place for our beloved pets is a good thing, no matter what our age or current health status.

I really haven't posted much about Alimony's osteo. It's frankly too hard for me to dwell on publicly right now. I am just focusing on keeping her comfortable and happy for as long as possible, and trying to enjoy each day as the gift it is.

Thank you so much, everyone.

Aw, Marcy, yes you did meet Michael on that Farm run a few winters ago. He adopted his second-to-last GH on that haul. That was Kiowa BossHodges, whom he renamed Kaia. Another sweeeeet mamadog. Sadly Kaia had some sudden-onset health issues and tragically passed away last summer. And I sort of always wanted two greys. Never imagined I'd be up to four. Sadly, that won't last though, with Alimony's OS. Hubby made it clear that four dogs is *not* the new normal for our household. Thank you so much for your kind words, everyone.

Hi everyone. I want to introduce the newest member of our family, Boo, formerly known as WWs Kool Show. How she came to us is a sad story, but with as happy an ending as we can muster. In December of 2011, my friend Michael co-piloted my hound haul for GPA-MN. We brought seven hounds into our group for adoption that day. Michael had recently lost his last greyhound and in the back of his mind, he was contemplating adopting again. As soon as Kool Show hopped out of the hauler, and we saw her stunningly unique face, we both fell in love with her. This is the photo I took that day for her online adoption listing: I knew she wouldn't last long as a foster with her sweet broodie temperament and her beautiful coloring. I was overjoyed when my friend Michael decided that he would adopt her. It was the next best thing to keeping her for myself (which was not an option-- our inn is full), since I'd be able to see her regularly with my friend. Michael renamed her Boo, after the song that is this thread's title. Over the next few months, my friend Michael's cancer, which he'd been diagnosed with two years ago, started to ravage his body despite the aggressive chemo treatments he'd been undergoing. He had a couple of long stints in the hospital, during which I took care of Boo. She fit in perfectly with my girls, as though she'd been part of my pack all along. A gratuitous car ride with my girls: Sand pit shenanigans with Dazzle and Flower: Dazzle is queen of the hill: Boo and Alimony seem to have a secret broodie bond. Sadly, as my friend's health rapidly declined, he finally asked me if I would keep Boo if/when the time came that he'd no longer be able to. His girlfriend and family adore Boo, but none of them were in a position to keep her, and she was so happy in our home with our girls. Of course I said yes. I told him it would be my honor and joy to keep Boo for him. Especially since he knew I had coveted Boo since I first laid eyes on her. The timing was/is not great, as we are also carefully monitoring Alimony with her OS leg. Alimony is very fragile and requires extra care and vigilance so she stays as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. But Boo is so easy and sweet, she just fits in seamlessly. The two pointy-eared mamas: The final week of Michael's life, he had requested that I bring Boo to visit him at the hospital. I brought her into the ICU with the family and oncologist's blessing, and hoisted her up onto Michael's hospital bed so he could weakly pet her. The next day, he was transferred to a hospice facility. The next morning I got an urgent request from Michael's brother to please bring Boo for a visit as soon as possible. I was there with Boo within the hour. When Boo walked into Michael's hospice room, I saw his eyes lock on her, and his hand reached out to her. I believe that was his final conscious gesture. I hoisted Boo up onto his bed again, and there she stayed, gently placing her paw in his hand and her head on his leg, for the final three hours of Michael's life. My friend Michael passed away on June 10, at 12:20pm. He was surrounded by loving family and friends, and his beautiful sweet dog. So now Boo is a part of our family. She will forever be Michael's dog, but I love her and will spoil her as one of my own for the rest of her days. Michael's family has requested "visitation rights" which I am of course happy to provide. My door will always be open to them. And I will forever be grateful to my friend and his family for allowing me to have Boo. Welcome to your new home, beautiful Boo-berry. I am torn between being filled with joyous love, and being soul-crushingly sad. But each day is a gift, and we shall do our best to not squander any of them. If you've read this far, thank you for looking.

She is beautiful, and I hope she has a lot of wonderfully spoiled time ahead of her as part of your family.

Hi, welcome! I'm in Plymouth. I've been going to Foley Blvd. Animal Hospital in Coon Rapids for years now. Dr. Barr and his wife run Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption, so clearly he knows greys. It's a bit of a hike, but worth it to me for his experience.

Poor fella. I've nothing to add that hadn't already been said. Is the skin on his nose normal? If not, that might support the lupus theory...

There is a difference between hypochondria and/or Munchausen by proxy, and simply being in tune with your beloved pet/companion of many years. If you have a nagging concern, it's because you know something is wrong, even in you can't quite put your finger on it. All of your concerns are valid, and worthy of having an in-depth vet visit, maybe even specialists.

done

When I was syringe-feeding Marla, I used her regular kibble. I'd soak a few cups of food in water or chicken broth over night in the fridge, and then liquify it in a food processor with a little more broth until it was smooth and liquidy enough for the syringe. This way I was able to stick to the kibble diet which I knew wouldn't upset her tummy. The oral syringe I got from my pharmacist had a very tiny opening, so I cut the tip off and filed the edges so they weren't sharp, increasing the opening size a bit because even pureed, the food would still occasionally clog the syringe. I made this in batches so I wasn't constantly preparing food, and could re-warm a serving in the microwave, again adding water or broth as necessary to get the right consistency.

Believe me, I understand your pain. It can be so frustrating. Once they catch on to "hiding" pills in various foods, nothing works. I've been through the gamut of delicacies also, and Alimony is the queen of suspicion. So the method I described for you yesterday is all that works when Ali is in one of her non-eating moods. The thing is, you really do have to push the pills SO far back down in her throat, it feels like you're pushing it down into her lungs. I assure you, that's not the case. And keep that snout pointed upward (to let gravity assist) while gently rubbing the throat also helps. And yes Tramadol is one of the worst-tasting pills you can give a dog. So I try to ensure that I not let it touch her tongue, pushing it far past her tastebuds so she won't have to taste it much if at all. Greasing the pill with a little butter might help make it harder to hack up too. But could also just make it harder for you to grip the pill in the first place. Good luck. *sigh*

And my Chancy was on Enalapril for several months and I never noticed any side effects at all. Just my experience...

Christie is so very helpful.

You're sure she just got one pill? If so, I'd not sweat it. When Chancy was on enalapril, my vet joked that it was so safe, they should just put it in the public water supply. (that was a JOKE)

That's all any of us can hope to do. May you have many wonderful days ahead of you together.

I have been hearing more and more stories like this, and they frankly terrify me. I am so very sorry for your shocking loss. My condolences.

A sweet beautiful happy boy. I am so so sorry you didn't have more time together. Much love to you, my friend.

Beautiful boy with long white socks. I am so so sorry for your loss, Diane. Unbelievable.

I'm glad the dog is en route to a more appropriate home. Both the dog and the kid(s) are safer as a result.

Huh. It almost looks like a partial extra toe. Unlike any other toe-pad growths I've ever seen. This is a nutsy tangent, but I remember in gradeschool, a kid who had an "eleventh toe" that was sort of conjoined with the big toe on one of his feet. I'll be curious what your vet has to say. Hope the limp is nothing.

Oh Diane, I am so sorry.

Oh Judy, my heart hurts for your loss of sweet Saint. My condolences, my friend.