Pupdate: January 28 2020

Hi. Thanks for checking in.  Let's get right to it.

Peryn: Peryn. Peryn. Peryn. What can I say?  He's OBSESSED with the basement and playing with the ball down there. He does not care if he's alone or not. I know he prefers an audience, but he will be down there for HOURS.  Sometimes he's quiet and you can hear the ball rolling around down there as he

pushes it. Other times you can hear him slam it into the support poles.   Then there are the days where he's barking as he plays, letting us know he's not happy being by himself. 
And finally there are the times where he comes up to bother us and get us to follow him.   

He does this longer on the days he doesn't have play care and even still on play care days.

He's eased up on his "intensity" towards Volos and has tried to get him to play on the few occasions.
He Maybe one day....




Lada: She is indifferent to Volos until Mommy pays attention to him.  She's not as insane about him getting attention from me like she is with Peryn.   It's like she understands he needs extra loving. 

Athena--
Sigh.  Where to begin.....She's getting worse.  She's so tiny in her back legs and waist.   She barely tries to get up on her own these days.  When she does, she's often dragging her legs.

In the mornings, she either sleeps until Rich takes her out or if she's up and mentally active, I'll take her out.  Most of time she has left a "chocolate egg".    Sadly, they have been getting smaller as she eats less.      

After a full day at playcare

 When we take her out, we have to often straighten out her legs before we place her down.  The disease makes her legs cross and are rigid in that pose.   Most often times she ends up sitting in a position she is unable to get out of (and often facilitates bowel movement).   She cannot move until we assist her.    We have to keep an eye out on her to make sure she doesn't fall. Unfortunately, that's almost all the time now.     

Good news is that she still has full control of her bladder.   

When she does "walk" it's usually for a few steps and then she ends up dragging her legs.  Don't feel too sorry for her as you'd be surprised how FAST she can move.    Especially if she sees someone she wants to greet.

Most days, she sleeps all day and doesn't eat or drink unless I bring stuff to her.   That only happens when I'm home. The days I work downtown, who knows.   Most often I return home to another "chocolate egg".  

Look at her legs & waist

She is most mentally active with her siblings around.  She continuously barks when they play in front of her or downstairs when she isn't with them.  

When she's in her cart--WATCH OUT WORLD. She loves playing with her siblings, going for walks, or just being at play care in her cart.   Unfortunately as much as we would love to let her have that mental stimulation, the physical aspect is too much for her.   

I hate to admit, but I am often very frustrated when dealing with her.   Partially because I have 3 others that require so much freaking attention and partially because where I once could just assist her to her feet and leave her to her own devices--I can no longer do that. 

For example--recently it rained quite a bit.  I wake up and am in my pajamas.  I have to take her outside in my slippers. I place her on the ground and have to fight with her legs.   I get her situated and walk back inside the house to stand at the door. I turn around and she's fallen and is unable to get up.  I have to go back out in the rain and help her up again .   I get her on her feet and she takes a few steps further into the wet grass and falls again.  I have to help her again.   
On mornings where I am getting ready for work, this will throw my whole morning off.  

I bring her inside and if I'm lucky, she'll want to go to the bathroom. Other times, it's her bed in the living room.     

Some mornings, if she hears me interacting or heaven forbid throwing a ball and she isn't there--she begins her barking.  

It's frustrating because it's happening and I can't take it out on her--it's NOT HER FAULT, but with 3 other pups some moments are too much. 
Peryn & Lada are so demanding of attention.  If you've never been around when they're in that mood OR if you don't have a dog-- ignoring them is not an option. 

When I take her in her cart downstairs, that is usually 45 minutes to an hour of my day where I can't do much other than sit and watch.   I've been lucky once or twice that the other too were so high strung, that the 3 of them played downstairs without me.   It was WONDERFUL.    

I may be annoyed and I may resent it at times, but I have to remind myself that I won't have many more days like this with Athena.   The disease is progressing and depending on how fast or what exactly happens next determines our course of action.   

Four dogs wasn't that much of an issue in the beginning.  However once the disease started affecting her on a regular basis, that changed everything.  It is hard.  We are doing all we can to make her as comfortable and happy as we can.

7 Day Return Policy

Seven Day Return Policy

When we adopted Galen, our very first dog, I didn't bond with him immediately.   Then he got very very sick and I couldn't even begin to feel anything for him other than my general love of dogs.  I kept wondering if I should have picked out another dog.  What if there was something seriously wrong with this one?
He eventually got well and as anyone who knows us knows--He was MY love.   

When we adopted Sheba, it took me time to get used to her. I used to be the center of Galen's world and then along comes his very own live in playmate. She had some issues due to her early abuse, but I came to love that dog more than anything. 

Goldberg was a different case as when he came to us, it was a temporary situation. We even tried adopting him out.   He was such a hard case to break some of his very bad habits and then his health issues began.   He became my little clown--buddy and was with us until the end-10 years later.

When we adopted the rest Duchess, Athena (and ALL her known issues) Peryn, and when we brought home Lada--never once did I think of returning them.   

Through all the tough beginnings I stuck it out because I could never do that to a dog.  

When we adopted Volos on Monday, we were told that they had a 7 day return policy. That is where we can return him at any point for any reason and get our adoption fee back.    We can return him anytime after, but we do not get the fee back.

For that reason and the fact that he has been limping since we brought him home, we took him to the vet today.

We had them look at the paw and also 2 masses on either side of him.

The results-- one of the masses is possibly a cancerous Mast Cell Tumor.    
And the paw... He has a torn ACL.    

To sum it up, he requires surgery for both issues.   Expensive surgeries.   AND... 1 of those surgeries may uncover if any cancer has spread. 

Considering we just lost Duchess almost 2 months ago to cancer, you can imagine how we must feel.   
Additionally, we just got this dog on Monday and find out that he requires expensive surgeries.  

"Whew! Good thing you found out and can return him and get your money back"
"With all Athena's issues, you can't afford another dog requiring all this expensive work"
"Oh that's easy--get your money back and don't spend anymore on the dog. You've barely had him a week."

When Volos was back getting the xrays and the tumor cells being looked at, we had a discussion.  What would we do depending on the outcome? Fortunately we're on the same page, so no arguing necessary.

This dog... this dog that we've only had with us going on 5 days is the sweetest, most loving dog we've ever had.  He wormed his way into our hearts from moment one.   It doesn't matter if he's going to cause us to go broke for a little while, he's one of ours.   
One caveat is this. If we find that there is cancer and there aren't clean margins--meaning that the cancer has spread--we will be returning him.    I cannot go through this again.  Also keep in mind, I'm saying this now--hours after his appt.  Ask me again in a few weeks..........


Never one to ask for help, I'm considering doing one of those go fund me things to ask for help...Considering.  I don't know how I feel about asking for money.....   We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it I guess.

Mass removal & Biopsy scheduled for Feb 3

Volos Day 3 & 4 Pupdate

Ready for your Volos pupdate?

Volos, Peryn, & mommy

Day 3-  Today was his day home with the rest of the pack while we were at work.  Started our morning out as usual: morning greeting, bathroom break, and breakfast.

For our bathroom break we went to the park (Peryn, Lada, & Volos).   He does really well off leash in a confined setting. You wouldn't know of his issues when he's there.    

At the park

Rich-who has the joy of being the one to put him in his crate at night and when he leaves for work- says he still goes into his crate with no issues. 

When I came home to let the psychos out--he was so happy to see me.   We all ended up going to the park where they all did their thing.  No issues to speak of at this time. 

The real joy was when we came back in Peryn, Lada, & Athena in her cart went downstairs to play.  I didn't want to leave him all alone, but I knew the ACDs need my attention when they play.   So I sat at the top of the basement stairs (which are also right outside his room).  He actually came out to get some loving from me.    

He will walk into the living room occasionally and he did so later.  However after he went for his walk with Rich & Peryn, he went right back into his room.

He's much more affectionate and accepting of our affection. However he still hides out in his room most of the time.  He's very quite and calm.    I really wish he would come out of the room, but we're allowing him to do it at his speed right now.

Look who left the room

Day 4- Worked from home and the other 3 went to day care.   He stayed in his room and would come to the door to check in on me, but wouldn't leave more than 2 ft from the doorway.   

My friend Kara came to meet him.  He worked his puppy voodoo on her and she's in love.  He loves getting attention.

Later on, I took him up to the daycare to get used to being in there.   He was very curious about the dogs.  He seems to do well with dogs that aren't too high energy.




Interaction with the family.  There is more "acknowledgement" of each other than there was.  They come into the room when I'm in there, sniff him out and vice versa--but that has been the extent of it.   
I'm a bit impatient because I want him to come out of the room and chill in the main part of the house.  I just need to remember this is at HIS speed--not mine.

zzzzzzzzzzz

Looking out the window on our ride

Pupdate Volos

I promise I will get to the day in the life with a dog living with DM, but I figured I'd focus on the newest pack member-Volos. 
 V O L O S

DAY 0-- It was crazy. Picking the ACDs up from play care and driving down to meet "Scout".  Dogs realizing that he was coming home--the hour ride home, stopping to get a collar and finally making it home. 
Once home it was a zoo!  CRAZY.  Athena barking up a storm, Peryn & Lada watching Volos with trepidation, and poor Volos--completely overwhelmed.

He walked around the house lifting his leg marking (and so began the NOs), then he crapped upstairs, and then the whole crew went downstairs to burn energy. 
Down there he began to poop everywhere and the dogs were being their typical self.

hile down there we grabbed the crate and then set it up in Rich's office. This was going to be his safe space.    Volos learned to use the stairs this day.  He was slow, but he made it all the way upstairs on his own.   Very much like Athena was.   We will have to work on strengthening them.

Eventually Rich sat down on the computer and I went to bed (taking all the psychos with me).   Eventually Volos calmed down and finally laid down.  

He readily went into his crate that night and we all had a peaceful nights rest.

DAY 1-- I stayed home to allow him to get acclimated to the house and the dogs.  Not my wisest move as Peryn & Lada were their typical INSANE selves and wanted to play all day long.  Peryn's intensity seems to freak Volos out.  


We began the day with what is going to be our normal routine. Outside & breakfast.   He did really well and ate heartily. 
Once back inside though, he went to his safe space, Rich's office.  That's fine and expected. 
I left him alone for periods of time and would check on him and get some loving.   

I eventually took him & Lada to the park 2 doors down. He does so well outside of the house. He met our neighbor and her dog.   He loves other "chill" dogs.   As I said, Lada and Peryn are too high strung for him right now.   

Every time I check on him, he's happy to see me and cuddle.  We need to work a bit on the outside thing though. When it's only to go to the restroom, he nearly trips me because he's right at my feet.  

Rich came home and Volos got more loving.  Rich took him & Peryn on short walk around the block.  They came back and Volos made a quick appearance in the living room. He proceeded back to his safe room.     

Rich spent the evening on the computer again with Volos and the door to the room shut so he could either stay in his crate or stay in the room.  He chose the crate.

DAY 2-- Normal day.   I got up for work and let him out of the room. Attempted to take him outside, but he didn't want to be out there, so he stayed against my legs the whole time.   He trips me when he is like that. It's sweet though.   We'll get him used to this life.

I left for work after feeding him and giving him some loving.     Rich made sure they all went out again and loved on him a bit before putting him in his crate.  He goes in easily with no fuss.

That feels gooood!

I came home and proceeded to greet him with much enthusiasm as I could. He was very happy to see me.  I then got Athena up and had to coach him out of the room to go outside.   That was another chore as he did not want to be out there (he doesn't seem to like the tie out ).

We went back inside and I got Athena into her cart.   I then got him out of the room (putting his leash on him seems to make him come out without issue) and the three of us proceeded to head down to the park.    

He loves being able to be outside.  He rolled around in the snow and even sort of ran. 

We came back to the house and I loved on him a bit and then went to my office (directly across from Rich's office).  I would call out to him occasionally and even go back to love on him.

He actually moved out of the corner and came to the doorway to watch me.   He seemed to be contemplating coming across to be with me.  He stepped out of the room once, but eventually went back inside.   

I hope we continue to earn his trust and that he can relax in the house.    

He's currently on the way with Rich to meet the ladies who work at the day care the kids go to.   They are super excited to meet him.   

so we're not over day 2 yet--but he seems to be getting comfortable in his immediate surroundings.   Now if only my psychos could allow him to relax!

Welcome Volos!

What does one do when they're already overwhelmed with helping their older puppy mill rescue with DM and dealing with 2 very active young Cattle Dogs?

We adopt another puppy mill rescue.
Yes this post was supposed to be about a day in the life with a dog living with DM, but fate has other plans.

Long before Duchess passed, Rich made it known that the next dog we got was going to be a Bernese Mtn Dog.   At the time, we were figuring this was years away since we still had Duchess and Athena.  Rich wanted me to know he really wanted one the next time we adopted   

Duchess' passing was so unexpected and such a big blow.  She left a very big hole in our lives.  Her role of stoic big sis and protector was empty.   None of the others were up to the task.   
Rich stated that we need to get a bigger dog. Someone intimidating that could fill in the "scary" part that Duchess did when people went by the house.    A Bernese would do the trick.  I was thinking more of waiting until Athena passed, seeing that she is a lot of work some days.
I think it was more of "Waiting to see what develops" more than anything.

Saturday night while hanging with my girlfriends we were discussing the "next dog".  I told them what Rich wanted and they looked up one since they were unfamiliar with the breed.
The very next day my one girlfriend found a post for a BMD in her timeline (you know your phone is listening) and shared the post with me as a "See our phone is listening"  

Turns out the dog was about an hour away.  Long story short--we adopted him.  He's approximately 5 years old and was used as a breeding dog in a puppy mill.   He's been neutered, but still requires house training.

He is a lover.  A BIG BALL OF FURRY LOVE.   However he is very scared.   SO after the initial "welcome to your new home" we set up his safe space.   It's in Rich's office. We have Peryn's  old crate in there-which is where he'll sleep at night and when we're gone. However, the whole room is sort of his hiding spot.    He's currently in there right now lying down. 

I go to check up on him every so often to give him love and check his provisions.    Physically he's in much better shape than Athena was when we adopted her, though his right back paw is a bit bothersome to him.


Emotionally/Mentally we are just beginning to let him heal.    

He was named Scout, but Rich wanted to keep with the Slavic God/Goddess theme and so he;s now Volos.

cutie pie

Handsome boy

 

Living with Degenerative Myelopathy part 1

This is one of those posts where I have so much to say, but no idea how to present it.

If you're friend, family, or long time follower you know Athena has had a hard life prior to our adopting her.  Rich fell in love with her beautiful picture and didn't care about the rest.

BACKGROUND

She's always been a special case.   From getting her well from her multiple infections and then teaching her to do stairs and even run.   Teaching her to jump up on furniture and all the other fun stuff that dogs should know how to do.

It made our day during one of the many visits to the dog park when she was able to keep up with the other dogs running.   It took a long time to get there, but it was so worth it.

Athena LOVES being a dog.   Play with other dogs--CHECK! Get attention from people--CHECK!  Eat snacks and treats--CHECK! Get cuddles from Mom & Dad--DOUBLE CHECK!!

Athena began to really thrive when we brought home Peryn.  He really turned the 3 of them into a pack.   Peryn loved his ruff and tumble times with Duchess and equally loved light wrestling with Athena.   Lada was icing on the cake. She adored wrestling with Athena.

Athena's most favorite thing in the world though? Playing with her pack!  In the house, in the back yard, at the dog park and at play care-- if her siblings were having fun, she was right there in the middle.

Now for Athena, her idea of having fun with them was nothing more than running after them as they played and barking.  Peryn & Lada want to play, there begins Athena's barking. She had to be right in the middle of it all.

Now, as I've said she's always had issues with the back legs.  If she overdid it at the park or playcare, she'd be limping.  We'd have to allow her a few days of downtime before she could join in the shenanigans again.  

Eventually that limping became more common.  We'd notice her drag her back paw when trying to keep up with them.   Based on her history, everyone (Vet included) assumed she over did it.   Rest and a break from running.

THE SIGNS
October 2018 she came home from her day at play care and was limping a bit--nothing out of the ordinary.  The next day however she was not normal. She could not walk straight--her body was curving in a C like shape and she struggled to walk.

Immediately called in for an appointment and had her seen.  X-rays showed severe arthritis (which was expected).  We were given medication and instructed to let her rest  

She never really recovered.   She would have a good afternoon, where she would walk normal, but then later than evening she was dragging her body.    It hurt us to watch, but she never cried out in pain.

We reduced her park time and kept her out of day care for months. 
I found tools that could be used to make our lives easier (harness to help her walk and pick her up).   Living in a colonial made things difficult for the both of us.

She would throw fits if we left her in one room and went to another, on another floor.

April we decided for everyone's sake to build a ranch.  

August of 2019 we moved into our new home and she loved it. She can move among the rooms without worrying about stairs.   She could walk herself out the front door since there was only a small step.    




Also at this time, I began searching for a cart for her.   She has so much life and energy, but her body is not cooperating.   Finally found one and ordered it. 

During this time, while researching carts and other tools I found the phrase Degenerative Myelopathy.  I looked it up to see what it was and felt like I had taken a hit to the gutt.

There were pictures and videos and descriptions of ATHENA!!!  
I now knew what really was the issue and it really sucked.  REALLY REALLY SUCKED.

Initial

• Loss of coordination (ataxia) in the hind legs
• Dragging the hind feet causing wearing down of the toenails.
• Hind end weakness (difficulty climbing stairs, jumping up into the car, going for walks)

Intermediate  (ATHENA)

• Knuckling of hind feet (weight bearing on the tops of the feet rather than their undersides)
• Difficulty supporting weight with hind legs
• Inability to walk without support
• Urinary and/or fecal incontinence

Advanced

• Paraplegia (paralysis of hind legs).
• Weakness in front legs.

Although this degenerative process is not painful, affected dogs can develop discomfort because of overuse of other body parts attempting to compensate for the hind end weakness.

I'm going to leave you here with a few links regarding the disease. 
http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/dm/basicdm.htm

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/degenerative-myelopathy-in-dogs



http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/canine-degenerative-myelopathy-its-dna


Athena's cart has given her a new lease on life that her body was robbing her from.   She can once again join in on the fun with her family......for a bit.

Next post will be about the day in and out of having a dog with DM.

Pupdate--the new normal

First off, the last post was written at a very emotional and devastating time. I apologize for all bad grammar and spelling errors. 

Since her passing, it's been difficult to an extent. We never thought we'd be losing one of our pack this year, let alone it being Duchess.

The worst part of all this?  When we've shared the news, everyone hears us say Duchess, but their minds go to Athena.   We have to correct them.   Only then do some get why this hit us so flipping hard.

We miss her.  Miss her terribly. We never realized just how much energy she brought to this house & family.   

This post has taken me nearly 3 weeks to compose.  So many mixed emotions and so much going on.

Tomorrow marks a month since we said 'goodbye'.   We do miss her incredibly. You don't realize just how much they are ingrained into your everyday routine.   I find myself reaching for her at night to give her some rubs, like I did every night while lying in bed.   It's heartbreaking when I realize she isn't there. 

The dogs obviously missed her at first.   Apparently Peryn became rather clingy the day after while at daycare.   That dog is not a cuddler or clingy.   
They did go searching for her at day care and at home.   They won't sleep on the dog bed that she seemed to have claimed.  

Other than that I didn't think there was any other signs that they missed her---until I really thought about 1 new thing that Peryn has been doing.

In our new home we use the basement as their play area.  SO for months we'd go downstairs with the pups and let them go wild with their herding ball.   I even began putting Athena in her cart to let her run around with them.

Oftentimes Duchess would come downstairs and beg for some petting while looking at the dogs like they were idiots.   She never wanted any part in that, but she did like to hang out next to me when I was sitting down there watching. 

Within the past few weeks, Peryn has been spending a lot of time down there alone.  He'll either play with the big ball himself or....since I can't see down there I don't know.  He waits for someone- whether it be Lada, Rich, myself, or anyone else to join him while he plays. If no one comes down, he will be down there for hours.    

This started after Duchess was gone.   I couldn't figure out any connection.   Yesterday it dawned on me.   After dinner (or day care), Duchess would curl up on the couch and sleep. Peryn was often by her side.  If she was on the couch-- so was she.  If she was on her bed in front of the fire, so was he.   They were pretty close. 

When I took Lada on visits to Tenn, Peryn & Duchess would play with one another. 
Whenever they went outside, he always waited for her to come back in before he would.  He kept an eye on her.   

Now with her gone, he doesn't have anyone to sleep with or watch out for.   He always keeps an eye on Lada, but Duchess was more an equal of sorts.  Without her lying down and sleeping--he now goes to the basement.     

With Mom visiting, she worries about him and will go down to check on him or watch him play.  I just let him be..... 

We don't want any security cameras inside the house, but are considering getting one for the basement (as it's just storage and our dogs).    This way we can keep an eye on him while he's down there.    He does have the ability to come up and down as he pleases, he just chooses not to do so.

My friends have been absolutely wonderful. The outpouring of love we've received after her passing has been so touching.  SO many people loved her and it warms me knowing others will miss her as well.

SO that's been our new normal since she left us.