**Tuesday Roll Call**

Wow...I actually had to think about what the heck day it was.  I almost entitled this "Wednesday Roll call"  Days on and off are blending together :)

Anyway...now that I know it's Tuesday...I'm headed to Wegmans in the morning.  I need only tea and hair gel (Wegmans specifically because they are the only ones who carry the tea I like).  Of course....I may end up with a few other things in my cart because that's what I do best, LOL

Once home I don't have to much to do....hopefully will see hubby before I go to bed.  Probably watch some of the news and/or Regis and Kelly and then it will be off to bed.

Try not to get sooooo excited about my day!

Pam

Morning Pam,
I won't say "good" because I am not feeling on top of my game this morning.

My food has been sucky lately.  I am not taking care of myself with my self-soothing.  

Today is work at school, come home to walk Utley, then work at the hospital.  SSDD.

Hugs,
Trish
 

Good Morning Pam, PA!

I've been since 4:18, Dillinger is having a tough time, not in the sense of anything really wrong, but he is having a tough time getting up and around, it is his right front paw that had the surgery, the weight bearing part of him and then because of all the anesthia and whatnot, he is not getting up too easily, so he has woken me up whining several times last night and I think he needs to go potty, but he is not ready to deal with it.  I got him as far as the steps but then he looked up at me with this look that said, you have got to be kidding me if you think I'm navigating them right now and then he turned around and we went back inside, I will put some potty pads around the house. 

Getting him in and then out of the car was a nightmare, as he was weak, but I managed, took about 20 minutes to get him out of the car when we got home and he was so punchy, he stood there a few minutes, went potty and then slowly made it up the stairs, got in the front door and collapsed as he had used all his strength, so I gave him some time, made him a bed on the living room floor with some egg crate foam and pillows from my lawn furniture and then brought out some chopped turkey meat that I had cooked up for him on Sunday and after a while I got him to get out of the doorway onto the bed I made, where he slept until we went to bed.  I took my old mattress and put it on the floor in my living room for us to sleep on, because I knew he would not want to sleep alone.  I am not nuts (well maybe a little ;)), I just love my dog and want him to be as comfortable as possible.  Overall, he is doing well, it's just the initial part of this. . .  and then there is the bill, I nearly choked when they gave me the total, as he had similar surgery two years ago on a back paw and it cost half of yesterday's bill, he has cost me $10,000 this year and while I paid off a part of the other event, I fear now that I will be in debt for a very long time, the pet insurance gave me about 35% of the other event, I hope they give me the 80% on this one that I got on the one he had 2 years ago, my credit cards are higher than I am comfortable with and here I just purchased the furniture for the new part of the house, I think a second job is in my future, because I just cannot live with owing this sort of money.  For every bill I cut in some fashion another one that can't be cut goes up in such a fashion as to make me feel like I make less money than when I bought my house 6 years ago, gas, heating, real estate taxes and raises in the last 3 years have certainly not kept up with anything, not to mention the job I have now I am bringing home similar to what I had, but I have not begun contributing to my retirement, which will mean at least $500 less a month. . .  yup a 2nd job, that's what is coming. . .


I wish I could stay home with him, but when I tried to get a day off this week, it being a small office and all, it just is not happening.  My roommate will be home most of today and she loves Dil almost as much as I do, so I know he will be looked after.  Anyway, that's what is going on in my life.  . . .  when I think of my life situations, they are nothing but luxury problems.

I wish you all a good day and the strength to get through whatever life presents you with,

Hugs, Laureen

Laureen, we've spent thousands of dollars and 6 months carrying Johnny's boxer. She had 2 surgeries, therapy and meds. And still cannot get up and down on her own. She must be carried out to use the bathroom, and we must hold her hind end to balance her as she goes. We even have to hold the food dish and water dish to her head because she loses balance trying to eat.

It's heartbreaking. But her tails still just wags away and the light in her eyes is the same. And laying with Johnny just makes her so happy. She's old for a boxer (11) and it's pulling at his heartstrings to see her like this. this has been his "baby" long before we ever met. and even though I love her, it's nothing to how he feels bonded to her.

Jojo, we have a boxer that is about 9-10 years old - we ot her from rescue, so her exact age is uncertain.

She is in amazingly good health for her age, but we spent about 2K this summer dealing with an ulcerated cornea, requiring trips to a veterinary ophthalmologist in Wilmington.

Years ago, I had a lab who had trouble getting around. Several times we wondered if this was "it" - but the vet counseled us that if she was not in pain and still had a good quality of life, we could wait. Good guidelines, I still believe.

Jo,

Thanks so much and what you said is precisely why I have spent the money on him, as the vet told me I will know when to let go and Dillinger has shown the will to fight.  He greets me with the same enthusiasm as when he was just a puppy, though he is slower to get up and now mostly lays there making a hullabalu when I come in the door, but always very happy when I come home, his eyes are bright and while his hind legs are weaker, he can still climb up and down the stairs (well having a bit of a time right now) and so some of these decisions are hard to make, as I say often enough, he is my 4-legged son and his love of me has been unwavering and he has also shared in some of the worst and best of my life's journey and while I know his time will come, I am grateful it is not yet.

Have a great day and pat the boxer for me and Dillinger.

Hugs, Laureen

Not to be a Debbie Downer.......

Back story....Johnny and his ex-wife share custody of their 2 Boxers. It's strange but they are "their kids". So the dogs go back and forth between our houses. They have done this since their divorce 5 years ago.  

Now, Johnny just called me. His ex-wife called and said Chelsea hadn't eaten all weekend. She couldn't get her to drink or anything. Got her into the vet last night to get labs done. Results came back this morning. She has multiple organ failure and Vet doesn't think she is going to make it.  He is on his way to Vets to meet Denise, as they are going to put her down.

Ugh, he is in tears. Hysterical. I am at work and crying just thinking about it. I feel SO BAD for him. I don't even know how to deal with this with him. I offered to meet him there too but know it's really something I should stay in the background with. It's their dog and it's hard enough.

And poor Parnelli, the brother dog. Apparently he's been pacing around and acting weird the last few days. I think he knew Chelsea wasn't right. Dogs are so in tune with that stuff.

Anyways, just venting because I don't know what to say to Johnny but needed to get it off my chest.

Please think of Johnny everyone. Those of you that have beloved pets that you love like family MUST understand the pain he is feeling right now.

Aww Jo,

I feel Johnny's pain and there is nothing you can do but be there for him and try to understand that for "us" who have this special bond with our animals, the connection is very akin to having a child.  So unfair that God made parrots live to be 85 or older and dogs only get 7 to 15 years at best, depending on breed.

Vent away.

My thoughts and prayers are for your husband (and his ex) to get through this and for you to have the strength to help him through, which I am sure you do!

You're not nuts - you love you dog and he loves you, and you're doing all you can for him and that's a wonderful thing. I wish him a speedy recovery and he's very blessed to have a 'mom' as wonderful and caring as you are. I know I would do the same for my little ball of fluff...

No, not nuts, just in love with your boy as you should be.

Continued thoughts for BOTH of you!