Busy days can turn blue.

  Upon waking this morning I realized it was going to be a busy day. I took my three boys for a quick walk, being ever mindful of little DB.  DB is my little Toy Fox Terrier with a huge Alpha complex.
Our veterinarian has been treating DB for a severe heart problem for a few months, and it was time for his yearly physical and shots.
    We've already increased the Lasix to twice a day if needed, but definitely once a day at least. Well, to say the least DB felt like Top Dog being able to go for a ride alone, without his brothers hogging windows and seats. He normally loves our veterinarian Dr. Ebert. Today was no different, he accepted his shots like a trouper, but decided he wanted no part of the nail clipping.
      After DB was brought back in the room with me, he hid under the chair.. As usual his limit had been met.
Dr. Ebert came in to tell me his labs were good and he was ok to go home. His parting comment broke my heart. "His heart sounds horrible."
     Four words-one small sentence, and my world comes crashing in. I've mentioned that through his initial diagnosis and meds, I began remembering my "old" health issues too. I remember running to find a bathroom when the Lasix kicked in. so I can only imagine a small 10 lb. dog on 20mg of Lasix.. We all hate to face the fact of a possible loss in our lives, more so when it's a Beloved pet. But DB is no ordinary pet.. He is the most Independently dependent canine I have ever had the pleasure to share a home with.
He must be on your lap if you sit down, under a blanket to stay warm. Then he is in total doggy heaven.
As I write this he has tucked himself under my sweatshirt to get close and warm. And snoring.
When DB is held, he puts his head on your shoulder and you feel the love and warmth all this little animal has to give. He is without a doubt -my best friend. Not mans'-mine.
      DB has offered me comfort through chronic rejection with my first lung transplant, my second single lung transplant, neighbors poisoning his mate (an Airdale Terrier), losing his friend Maggie (Shih Tzu) to cancer, a kidney transplant, a pacemaker, and the list goes on.
     I will take the best possible care of my little Alpha Dog. He has already earned his wings, but I want to keep him firmly planted on earth as long as possible.

Everything eventually comes flooding back

I've been remiss in posting mainly because my little dog DB has started with a terrible cough.

We tried the old remedy recommended by the veterinarian to no avail. To no avail right... Have you ever tried to give a dog Robitussin??? I hate the stuff so I can only imagine how this poor little 10 lb. dog feels. I even went the gamet of getting childrens flavored!

So after a week of the cough calming down, he got worse. Me being the worrier I am, after all this is one of my boys. I took him back to the vet.

With all our exercise, walking and looking slim the vet found a significant heart murmur.......

Not only a heart murmur, fluid was backing up into his lungs causing the cough. When I heard this a flood of teenage memories flooded my consciousness all at once

Then the vet handed me 2 packs of meds. One was a heart pill and the other was Lasix. OMG! I looked at the dosage of 12.5 mg and said : "Wow, I only took 25mgs at the most at my worst times and he's only 10 lbs.." I was then told DB was in crisis mode and we had to prevent the fluid from leaving his lungs and going into his heart.

Another flood... a major one... My sweet, little, holy terror was suffering from some of the complications I had endured for many years!

I then and there made a promise to God. I will spoil my little one even more, I will be protective, I will also give equal time to my other 2, and I will NOT lose my little Dibs.

Our walks are much slower now. This is difficult for me as thanks to Prednisone I run on Hyper mode constantly. We used to walk at around 2.5-3 mph. Now we meander and sniff every blade of grass and let the other brothers chase squirrels and lizards, and when he starts lagging behind and breathing heavy, he lets me know it's time for a ride in my arms.

Carrying him can be a major feat in itself while trying to control 2 other holy terrors!

A fellow crafter makes slings to carry babies with. She will be my next email. He will receive his very own custom designed carry all sling for walks.

Since the vet says this will only get worse, he deserves the best.

Memories like these hit us at the most unbelieveable times. We accept them, because they made us the survivors we are today. We learn from them, and they help us to help others facing the same crisis in their lives. I just never thought I would be helping my dog.

What are some of your memories???