up and at 'em!

I should start this off with a great big Thank you... for making me cry like a baby :)

Last week, this was Thor...barely able to sit up enough to drink water... in bed. 

An air mattress was quickly moved into the kitchen, and there, is where I slept all week.  The poor guy didn't want to go to the bathroom because of the pain. At one point he went almost 13 hours holding it. Of course dehydration was a fear of mine (in general and now more so because of his kidney issue) so if he couldn't sit up to drink out of his bowl we were going to have to find another way.
The answer... water bottles from our bikes. Just stick the little button top under his floppy lips near the crease in the back and squeeze. He actually did great, and the method hardly spills any water, anywhere! He may have actually consumed more water that way than the sloppy way he does with a bowl! ha and it let me keep track of how much he was drinking. 

As a surprise birthday present from my sister-in-law to my brother and their 3 little girls, they all came to visit for the weekend. 

We were a little concerned that Thor might get too excited and want to play and so we gave ample forewarning that staying out of the house as much as possible and remaining calm, so that he could rest, was imperative...

Well... It looks like maybe the crew took the resting part... more to heart than Thor!

this was after we came back from the pool... 

Later that night...

The following night...

and finally... we just covered this one up with a blanket and went to bed the last night. 

If you notice... Thor is usually awake in most of those pictures.
He was so grateful to have so many people willing to snuggle with him, he would just stay there and lay with them even when he wasn't sleepy. 

It must have done him some good, because this morning when we went outside to do our duty I had to put a stop to his wind sprints in the backyard... :) 

It's so uplifting to see his spirits up and his pain subsiding - but it makes it even harder to try and rationalize with him that he needs to take it easy and rest... But I'll take the latter. 

Thank you again for all of your notes of encouragement.
We'll be back at the Vet on Monday to check on the kidney issue, and will know more then. 

On a nothingnewforayear point... Those shampoo/conditioner packets that I don't love very much - seemed to work out just fine on my nieces hair. And with a few birthdays close by we also doled out some Rock n Roll Marathon t-shirts (always a big hit) and some Girl Scout Cookies for my brother, so it seems a few more birthdays were celebrated without any complaints from hand-me-downs or food as gifts!

A heavy heart...

Almost 4 years ago I locked eyes with a smushy little face who’s entire being absolutely...consumed me. Walking to the car that afternoon carrying the most precious little English Bulldog puppy, I  immediately started preparing for the worst. People thought I was morbid because I was already anticipating the immense pain I would feel when the little guy eventually died. I know it might have been a little premature but the weight in my heart, holding him in my hands, was so enormous, I couldn’t fathom the heaviness I would feel when he wasn’t there anymore. 

We nicknamed him “Gigantor” because of his big paws and belly and so the name “Thor” it was. 

I flew home from Dallas on Sunday high with the energy of thousands of accomplished runners, yet exhausted from a hot day in the sun (and a nice sunburn) only to get a text that read 

“Thor cant move” 

  Walking in the door I saw his little head pop up and he attempted to sit up and greet me when the most horrifyingly painful screams came from his little throat. He tried so hard to walk to me crying in angst. As I ran to him, he sank to the floor and closed his eyes in pain. It took everything I had not to cry, but fear and confusion took over as we recounted what could have possibly caused this. After a rundown of his day and still no answers we quickly carried him to the car and headed for the best vet hospital in the country. People in the waiting room had driven in from Kansas City and Arizona. The wall showed thank you notes from people who had even flown their pets to the Colorado State University vet hospital... including Austin Texas native Lance Armstrong. 

 I was glad we just had to drive up the road. 

  It was almost 11pm when we arrived and after some careful examination and pain meds, we were advised to come back in the morning when a full staff and smaller fees were in our favor. They didn't think it was life threatening. 

The screams continued a few times in the night when any movement was required and you can bet that we were outside that door at 8am the following morning. The doctors evaluated him and decided to run a few tests. We were given the word that it would be several hours before X-rays and analysis would be done and so we played the waiting game.

Good news. His back hips, possibly arthritis, which we assumed was the issue...not the issue. 

Bad News, it's most likely his spine. Something called Lumbosacral Disease.

 Good News should be able to give him some medication and with bed rest it should heal. 

The usual blood tests followed to be sure he could handle the medication.

Bad News. His blood tests show problems stemming from his kidneys. 

They wanted to do an ultrasound on his abdomen just to be sure. 

Bad News. One kidney is deformed and not operating fully. 

Not the worst news. LIke people, dogs can function with only one, but it's still not enough to let him take the medicine which would help the most. Now the bigger concern is his kidney function. Come back in two weeks so we can see if it's getting worse. 

Ugggh. 

Bathroom breaks now require carrying him to the yard and helping him stand while he goes. His usual 3+ mile walks are out of the question and playing - absolutely not. The poor guy doesn't have much to look forward to for the next 4-6 weeks... aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner hand fed to him because he can't get up...

The guy has some "mad ups" according to those much "hipper" than I... but sadly...these days... are over. 

I know there are worse things. 

Everyone always asks if I did this whole nothingnewforayear thing to save money. 

It wasn't the reason, although it became a nice bonus. And after watching this helpless, wordless little guy writhe in pain... I know that there is no way I wouldn't do or buy whatever it took to make him feel better again. I can't imagine medical care is "old" but I gladly doled out whatever I may have saved this year for the peace of mind we've done everything we can to ease his pain. 

One time Thor was attacked at a dog park when he was about 7 months ago. I held myself together as I carried him to the car where I proceeded to cry and said "this is why people homeschool their kids". 

I couldn't help but think about all the parents who are sitting at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital watching their children in pain. 

This is just a dog. I know. 

But imagining ever having to be in those parents position, after just one little instance with my dog... makes me realize that even though I think I'm tough... this furry little 4 legged smush face can bring me to my knees.

I used to tire of him pushing his toys against my leg and giving me the sad puppy look begging for my attention. What I wouldn't give to play tug and fetch right about now.

I guess it's not the worst position to "work" from :) 

But for the first time in a long time... I wish he'd interrupt my "work" and ask me to play.