Today, I must go to the office.
Alex will sleep, leaving him egg and mackerel for breakfast. Not my choice, but the Kit is circling.
Nancy will come to clean this afternoon, then Loraine across the street will be sure he is in and comfy when she leaves. I have left some Ensure and kids meals for them to give Alex. It is a guessing game what he will be hungry for - and when.
I would leave, but right now he is sitting on the back hill. Just sitting. It is 27 degrees outside and I want to be sure he is in before I leave, but don't want to rush him. If it were warmer and 4 months ago, I would have let him stay out until Nancy got here. Not so much anymore...
I called Libbye last night to ask if incontinence would be part of this process. I had "found" some areas not quite dry. Then I remembered I had given him a butt washing. Of course he was wet. She still said yes. This morning, he was waiting for me to finish dressing and laying on the sheets I had stripped from the bed. There were wet spots when he got up. Confirmed, he is leaking a bit.
I think he is done with his survey. Almost. Woops, he saw me, here he comes. :)
Off I go!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Alex and I are working from home today (TGI-Monday's!).
Went out to Kroger for Pepsi this morning. A girl needs her caffeine to do her best. :)
Alex's days of levitation - rock wall and in/out of SUV are over. He goes up and into the car because he is excited to go. But when we get home, he hesitates. Does not want me to lift him down, but he is so tentative and must be encouraged.
Making some corned beef hash and eggs for lunch. Alex will get a chance to try that egg. Fingers crossed. He had some baby-food chicken wieners and Ensure for breakfast. That took three or more sessions to finish. Been napping since.
The Cerenia is keeping him from throwing up, but I am not sure his stomach is completely calm, based on his appetite.
I can report that his head is down and he is diving! into that bowl of egg, hidden in a little taste of hash, covered with the wash from the Ensure bottle. I know, sounds iffy to us, but he is loving it! All gone! :)
I am putting Bach's Rescue Remedy and Mimulus into the water. I figure it cannot hurt, and it makes me feel better. The cat seems to like it, too.
Still giving generic Prilosec in the afternoon to alleviate the bowel disease. Night time throwing up seems to have stopped.
Special note for today... Alex had diarrhea on our walk, which later necessitated a "butt-bath." He is very compliant on baths, jumps (slowly today) onto the shelf in the shower and places himself at as close to the right height as possible, while keeping his face out of the spray. We cleaned up, then we trimmed, as it will probably get worse before it gets better. I should have done it the other way around. I don't have a blower, per se, so did not want to get him more wet than necessary.
We came down to eat after, me thinking of the various goodies I have bought for him. Today was mackerel. He loved the juice - and the sour cream for his evening Prilosec. Has not done so much with the actual mackerel, but Kit is eyeing it greedily. I gave Kit a dish of juice to make him happy. Juice is usually all he really wants. After half hour or so, Alex has eaten about half (quarter cup) of the mackerel. Resting now. I think he will get back into it, so added more water. He does seem to be slurping smelly/water/juice pretty well.
9pm. Alex's bowl was finally emptied. :) So glad he is eating, even if it takes longer...........................................................
Went out to Kroger for Pepsi this morning. A girl needs her caffeine to do her best. :)
Alex's days of levitation - rock wall and in/out of SUV are over. He goes up and into the car because he is excited to go. But when we get home, he hesitates. Does not want me to lift him down, but he is so tentative and must be encouraged.
Making some corned beef hash and eggs for lunch. Alex will get a chance to try that egg. Fingers crossed. He had some baby-food chicken wieners and Ensure for breakfast. That took three or more sessions to finish. Been napping since.
The Cerenia is keeping him from throwing up, but I am not sure his stomach is completely calm, based on his appetite.
I can report that his head is down and he is diving! into that bowl of egg, hidden in a little taste of hash, covered with the wash from the Ensure bottle. I know, sounds iffy to us, but he is loving it! All gone! :)
I am putting Bach's Rescue Remedy and Mimulus into the water. I figure it cannot hurt, and it makes me feel better. The cat seems to like it, too.
Still giving generic Prilosec in the afternoon to alleviate the bowel disease. Night time throwing up seems to have stopped.
Special note for today... Alex had diarrhea on our walk, which later necessitated a "butt-bath." He is very compliant on baths, jumps (slowly today) onto the shelf in the shower and places himself at as close to the right height as possible, while keeping his face out of the spray. We cleaned up, then we trimmed, as it will probably get worse before it gets better. I should have done it the other way around. I don't have a blower, per se, so did not want to get him more wet than necessary.
We came down to eat after, me thinking of the various goodies I have bought for him. Today was mackerel. He loved the juice - and the sour cream for his evening Prilosec. Has not done so much with the actual mackerel, but Kit is eyeing it greedily. I gave Kit a dish of juice to make him happy. Juice is usually all he really wants. After half hour or so, Alex has eaten about half (quarter cup) of the mackerel. Resting now. I think he will get back into it, so added more water. He does seem to be slurping smelly/water/juice pretty well.
9pm. Alex's bowl was finally emptied. :) So glad he is eating, even if it takes longer...........................................................
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Slow day, I worked, Alex slept
I am on duty this weekend, so signed on the computer from 7:30 - 4 both Saturday and Sunday. Alex and I were up about 7, but both of us moving slowly.
Alex is not overly hungry today, even walking away from his favorite yogurt. I added a prednisone today, hoping to improve his appetite and attitude, but it didn't do a lot. We did take two walks around the neighborhood. Nice and easy. Balmy day, over 60! Not your normal January!
Our gas fireplace upgrade (to direct vent) is complete. I asked Alex to stand in front for a photo - ok, I asked him to lay down, but he was not feeling it. His eyes look miserable here, so I clicked and released quickly.
He has a new appreciation for dairy - yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese. I am guessing that may be half his intake these days. He has been holding food down since starting the cerenia. Glad to show he showed a little weight gain when we visited the vet office this week.
On one of our walks today, we saw a mailman in the neighborhood. Not our regular one, but he knows us. Alex was "ears up" and checking to be sure if it was Matt. I guess he figured not worth screaming at him if it was not his arch enemy. He likely does not realize all the special things Matt brings to him!
Best of the new year to anyone reading this.
Alex is not overly hungry today, even walking away from his favorite yogurt. I added a prednisone today, hoping to improve his appetite and attitude, but it didn't do a lot. We did take two walks around the neighborhood. Nice and easy. Balmy day, over 60! Not your normal January!
He has a new appreciation for dairy - yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese. I am guessing that may be half his intake these days. He has been holding food down since starting the cerenia. Glad to show he showed a little weight gain when we visited the vet office this week.
On one of our walks today, we saw a mailman in the neighborhood. Not our regular one, but he knows us. Alex was "ears up" and checking to be sure if it was Matt. I guess he figured not worth screaming at him if it was not his arch enemy.
Best of the new year to anyone reading this.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Warming up in Cincinnati
Glad the rain quit! Quite nice out now!
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Good Appetite this afternoon
Alex ate a good lunch of kibble and cottage cheese today. First clean plate I have seen in a while.
I am sure the kibble (Nature's Recipe) is rougher on his stomach than it should be, but glad he is getting the nourishment.
He has stumbled a couple of times today. I trimmed his pads yesterday, thinking it was from too much hair, sliding. Will have to watch for that.
I am sure the kibble (Nature's Recipe) is rougher on his stomach than it should be, but glad he is getting the nourishment.
He has stumbled a couple of times today. I trimmed his pads yesterday, thinking it was from too much hair, sliding. Will have to watch for that.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
So many thoughts
Does Alex look wistful to you?
So many thoughts go through my head lately. While driving, sleeping, trying to sleep.
It is just over two months since I first took Alex to the vet, afraid for the answers, but sure we needed to know. Once diagnosed with gastric carcinoma and inflamed bowel disease, he stayed pretty much the same. Just rested longer and deeper. Still screamed at the mailman, bounced at the back door when going out, wrestled daily with the cat, dove into the collar if a walk was mentioned. He was eating well, only throwing up every 4 days or so, easy to forget, ignore, dream that he would stay a long time - like I always thought he would.
I held off on extra mediations as long as I could. Starting with only generic Prilosec and Pepto. When he started vomiting two times a day, we added the cerenia, as needed.
Just in the last 4-5 days, this has changed. He does not want to eat - even that "great canned stuff!" He walks away from the bowl and lets the cat nibble. This is heartbreaking for a dog that always ate with gusto and was a charter member of the clean plate club. I made a couple batches of what I am calling Alex-stew. Ground turkey, mashed carrots, rice, and such. He does not want that anymore, either. Funny, I put down dry kibble that he has not had 6 weeks and he dug right in, for a minute.
I talked to Dr. Collette at Park Hills Animal Hospital and Dr. Libbye Miller, among others. We started the cerenia daily and I made a trip to Kroger for baby food, more cottage cheese, sour cream and such to tempt him. He dives in, but does not stay long. Wanders off or just lays down and sleeps. Like an old person who forgets what he was doing.
Alex is still ready to go, if only I will say the word. He loves to say hi to the neighborhood and ride in the car. He jumps up slowly, no longer levitating like he used to. Oddly, he is uncertain about jumping out of the suv now - more like what I would associate with sight or depth perception than stomach distress. Soon, I will be lifting him down. Sadly, that will not be an issue, as he continues to lose weight.
He is resting now at my feet, having eaten a little bit of sweet potato baby food. The floor looks like some old lady's floor with 20 cats, little bowls of bits all over. I only give a taste, then let him eat as he will. Hours later, I clean up what is left before we go to bed. The fridge has several open cans, waiting for another try.
I decided to add this to Alex's blog for two reasons: it is part of his story, so needs to be here and I could not find an expectation of what would happen anyplace else. I do not have the courage to ask any of the vets or surgeons what the prognosis is for Alex. I often cannot talk about it at all. But I do need to share somehow. Maybe this will help someone else.
As Alex continues to get all my attention, I want to thank the wonderful Tervuren folks that have helped me over recent weeks. We have many wonderful veterinarians that gladly give of their time, talents and compassion to help me and Alex. Dr. Libbye Miller, Dr. Cathy Greenfield and Dr. Deb Eldredge.
As Alex and I explore the rest of his days, hold your own close. Share a moment and build a life with them. God bless.
So many thoughts go through my head lately. While driving, sleeping, trying to sleep.
It is just over two months since I first took Alex to the vet, afraid for the answers, but sure we needed to know. Once diagnosed with gastric carcinoma and inflamed bowel disease, he stayed pretty much the same. Just rested longer and deeper. Still screamed at the mailman, bounced at the back door when going out, wrestled daily with the cat, dove into the collar if a walk was mentioned. He was eating well, only throwing up every 4 days or so, easy to forget, ignore, dream that he would stay a long time - like I always thought he would.
I held off on extra mediations as long as I could. Starting with only generic Prilosec and Pepto. When he started vomiting two times a day, we added the cerenia, as needed.
Just in the last 4-5 days, this has changed. He does not want to eat - even that "great canned stuff!" He walks away from the bowl and lets the cat nibble. This is heartbreaking for a dog that always ate with gusto and was a charter member of the clean plate club. I made a couple batches of what I am calling Alex-stew. Ground turkey, mashed carrots, rice, and such. He does not want that anymore, either. Funny, I put down dry kibble that he has not had 6 weeks and he dug right in, for a minute.
I talked to Dr. Collette at Park Hills Animal Hospital and Dr. Libbye Miller, among others. We started the cerenia daily and I made a trip to Kroger for baby food, more cottage cheese, sour cream and such to tempt him. He dives in, but does not stay long. Wanders off or just lays down and sleeps. Like an old person who forgets what he was doing.
Alex is still ready to go, if only I will say the word. He loves to say hi to the neighborhood and ride in the car. He jumps up slowly, no longer levitating like he used to. Oddly, he is uncertain about jumping out of the suv now - more like what I would associate with sight or depth perception than stomach distress. Soon, I will be lifting him down. Sadly, that will not be an issue, as he continues to lose weight.
He is resting now at my feet, having eaten a little bit of sweet potato baby food. The floor looks like some old lady's floor with 20 cats, little bowls of bits all over. I only give a taste, then let him eat as he will. Hours later, I clean up what is left before we go to bed. The fridge has several open cans, waiting for another try.
I decided to add this to Alex's blog for two reasons: it is part of his story, so needs to be here and I could not find an expectation of what would happen anyplace else. I do not have the courage to ask any of the vets or surgeons what the prognosis is for Alex. I often cannot talk about it at all. But I do need to share somehow. Maybe this will help someone else.
As Alex continues to get all my attention, I want to thank the wonderful Tervuren folks that have helped me over recent weeks. We have many wonderful veterinarians that gladly give of their time, talents and compassion to help me and Alex. Dr. Libbye Miller, Dr. Cathy Greenfield and Dr. Deb Eldredge.
As Alex and I explore the rest of his days, hold your own close. Share a moment and build a life with them. God bless.
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Jan 2, wake up to urping
I woke up at 2am-ish, to Alex padding downstairs to throw up. Again at 5 or 6.
This makes two days with twice in the early morning hours. Rest of daytime seems to be ok.
I fed him the canned Halo this morning. I think he nosed it, but then he left the rest for Kit. Not usual for him to let Kit get into his bowl while he is a dog's length away. The last couple days, he has taken at least two "sittings" to eat one cup of food. I hope he is ok while I am at work today. Thankful for webcam.
He sleeps all day, so that is a good thing.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Alex? A picky eater?
Alex has never, never been a picky eater. Never.When we changed to the canned food, EN and now Halo, he ran to the food bowl. He even put up with me adding Pepto to calm his stomach. Today is the first day he has eaten some...then walked away. I left it down for a while, added more water. He slurped some of the liquid, but did not really eat much. Has he finally smelled the meds? I eventually dumped that and put down some homemade Alex stew with no meds. Ground turkey, carrots, green beans, lots of broth. He picked at that, ate some leftover pork and beans, then finally finished the stew. Normal meal, 3 minutes tops. This one, over an hour.
He asked for a chew half hour later, so I gave it to him. He is moving a bit slow today.
Saturday was the first time I was sure he had thrown up two times in one day, 6 hours apart. I upped him to one of the cerenia pills.
Today has been ok holding down, just eating slow.Napping now. Perhaps we both should, but my mind goes to my holiday to do list....
View from my pillow
Alex has not really cuddled for the first eight years. Now, he presses into my back or front every morning before we meet the day.
We don't bounce out of bed as quickly as we used to, but that is not a bad thing.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
December - 2012
Met Jeanne of Color Pots at NKY Craft Affair Thankgiving weekend. I was so impressed with her work, I had her make a plate of Alex. This is not the best photo of the combo, but it is the one Kit managed to get into... so everyone in the picture!Then we have a wistful Alex. Wearing the holiday hat, no food in site. He is sure I have made a greivous error!
Sleepy morning for Alex
I woke up earlier than usual this morning. Have been watching the news for about 45 minutes from bed. Why am I still sitting in bed? Well, Alex has snuggled himself up to me and I cannot find it in me to move or leave.
It was the week before Thanksgiving he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Hard to believe that was over a month ago.
Alex still has good appetite and good spirits. He cuddles now, something here rarely did before. So I let him. I rarely move until he is ready, even if it makes me late.
Thankful that I can write this on my phone, so I don't have to...now, about that shower...
Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Alex had a play date with Sadie, one of his "besties" on Saturday.
She kept him company while Sadie's person and I went to the craft fair. Found some fun stuff!
So did the fur-kids. Came home to cat food on the kitchen floor and not so nice and dry on the living room floor. Yuk!!
Funniest part? they had matching hair cuts. Shaved belly and IV-poodle-paw.
I think they both enjoyed the day!
She kept him company while Sadie's person and I went to the craft fair. Found some fun stuff!
So did the fur-kids. Came home to cat food on the kitchen floor and not so nice and dry on the living room floor. Yuk!!
Funniest part? they had matching hair cuts. Shaved belly and IV-poodle-paw.
I think they both enjoyed the day!
Kit watches Alex sleep
After several hours of play with Sadie, Alex is quite tired.
Kit watches over him. Kit usually rests during evening hours about 2-3 feet from Alex, but one has to wonder (as I watch a PBS show on "Animal Odd Couples") if he understands.
Alex was diagnosed about ten days ago with stomach cancer. I am not sure how long Alex will be with us, but I know I will not be the only friend missing him.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thankgiving 2012, warm and sunny!
Thanks, Brooke for having us at your Mom's!
Alex was in/otu of the pond MANY times!!
He was so excited, he barely paused.
Yes, he knows how to pose for the camera! Note the wet coat and decorative leaves.
We did not have the camera out on the second trip, when little black spot LuLu decided to join the party. First time she had met Alex, but she was kind. :)
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