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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
Harry of course. And I found out this week that two others quite probably have fatal conditions, perhaps not immediately fatal. Further tests are necessary. And my youngest started bleeding in her urine and stool last night for no apparent reason. The vet says we might not know why if it clears up.
I am flattened by the news and have fled to hypomania to escape the implications. I'm terrified that at some point I'm going to be forced to make unspeakable choices because all of this is happening at once, and I haven't the reserves to maintain three seriously ill dogs at once.
Posted by fallsfall on September 17, 2004, at 10:06:13
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
Dinah,
This is too much!!!!!
Please take care of yourself while you are taking care of your dogs. I know how much you love them.
(((((Dinah's doggies)))))
Posted by octopusprime on September 17, 2004, at 10:06:22
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
oh dinah
i'm so sorry your friends are not doing well
i hope you don't have to make hard choices
i'll keep you in my thoughts
pets and scratches for all of you
Posted by Snoozin on September 17, 2004, at 10:16:53
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
Dinah,
I'm so sorry your pups aren't feeling well. I know how tough that is, although having all of them possibly sick sounds unbearable.
I'll keep you and your pups in my prayers. They are so lucky to have you.
Susan
Posted by partlycloudy on September 17, 2004, at 10:21:01
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
You must be so overwhelmed. Sending doggy kisses to your household. My T lost her dog unexpectedly this week and she is inconsolable.
Posted by All Done on September 17, 2004, at 10:31:41
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
I'm so sorry, Dinah. How difficult to have any one of them sick, much less four of them.
Please make sure to take care of yourself as well as them and let us know if we can help in any way.
(((((Dinah and her pups)))))
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by gardenergirl on September 17, 2004, at 11:09:19
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell » Dinah, posted by All Done on September 17, 2004, at 10:31:41
Dinah,
I'm so sorry about the dogs. What a horrible situation. I know you love them so much. They are lucky to have you. Please be well yourself and I'll keep the doggies in my prayers.gg
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 11:37:13
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
I think the idea of having to make choices is scaring me senseless. Because the other dog with possible cancer is in much better shape than Harry. But I can't bear to let Harry go.
Oh well. I'll think about it tomorrow. Or whenever my vet comes up with a proposed plan of action.
Stuff is just piling on too quick.
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 12:02:36
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
Both have bad kidneys, but neither situation appears acute.
And the vet wants to use try a nonsurgical medication approach first. That'll buy me time to figure things out. And I've usually found that buying time is a pretty good strategy for problem solving in general.
Posted by iris2 on September 17, 2004, at 12:04:39
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
I am soo sorry about your little ones.
Hope they are better than it appears now.
Keep us posted and let us know what we can do for you.I have had to go through this myself several times. I will be there for you.
I know how much you must love them. Well before say more let's see what the vet has to say.
Irene
Posted by Poet on September 17, 2004, at 12:07:47
In reply to Lab results back. Fairly good news., posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 12:02:36
Dinah,
Hugs to you, Harry and your other doggies. I know how much your furry children mean to you, and how good of a mother you are to them.
Take care and let us know how everyone is doing.
Poet
Posted by iris2 on September 17, 2004, at 13:35:00
In reply to Lab results back. Fairly good news., posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 12:02:36
Very happy for you and the dogs. Been hugging mine all afternoon. Give yours a hug from me.
Irene
Posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 16:18:31
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
Dinah, I know you don't know me well, if at all, but your post caught my eye. I have three, yes three, kids in college now. My wife and I love each other but the house had become a little quiet. She's allergic to dogs so that seemed out of the question. Then I Googled "hypoallergenic dogs" and discovered that a dog was a possibility. To make a long story short, Gus, a Portuguese Water Dog, entered our life 2 years ago and the house has never been the same since. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, I'd do anything for them - I just have never experienced the companionship and unfailing love that a dog has for its owner. As this is my first dog, I can't imagine what you are facing. I hope the best for you.
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 17:44:20
In reply to Re: Lab results back. Fairly good news. » Dinah, posted by Poet on September 17, 2004, at 12:07:47
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 17:51:32
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 16:18:31
What a darling!!! I used to be involved with dogs years ago, and I think I remember Portuguese Water Dogs. They're lively and intelligent, right?
I've had dogs all my life, and used to be involved in it as a hobby. That's why I am ending up with a number of dogs, all but one over 12. It won't be long until I only have one dog. It'll be the first time in over thirty years, and I'm not sure what I'll do.
Harry will be the biggest loss though. He's been my little friend for fourteen years now. I know I should be happy I was granted this extra time. I've had him many months longer than they expected. And he's in increasing pain and only seems content on my lap.
And you aren't a stranger, Toph. While I don't post often on the Faith board (as it seems well nigh impossible to post without violating something), I do read it and have long admired your posts. Glad to meet you more directly.
Posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 18:26:40
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell » Toph, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 17:51:32
I got in trouble of the Faith board myself. I don't get my hand slapped anymore and sometimes I wonder if Bob has molded me into a civil citizen or if I haven't run into a posting that has bugged me lately.
Anyway, lucky for you, Harry and the other dogs that you have each other. We are thinking of another Water Dog as a companion for Gus. Water Dogs are bright and energetic, as you mentioned, so two could be a hand full. I argue that its twice the joy.
Babble is a new thing for me. My illness is thankfully under control and only a minor part of my persona now. Its been interesting here to share a space with others that are struggling with similar challenges that I have faced and that I will always have to be careful about treating.
Posted by zeugma on September 17, 2004, at 19:47:05
In reply to Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 10:01:25
> Harry of course. And I found out this week that two others quite probably have fatal conditions, perhaps not immediately fatal. Further tests are necessary. And my youngest started bleeding in her urine and stool last night for no apparent reason. The vet says we might not know why if it clears up.
>
> I am flattened by the news and have fled to hypomania to escape the implications. I'm terrified that at some point I'm going to be forced to make unspeakable choices because all of this is happening at once, and I haven't the reserves to maintain three seriously ill dogs at once.Hi Dinah, I am terribly sorry for you. Last year my dog died and it devastated me. he was the closest companion during the long period of my illness and was the only member of my family who didn't hold it against me. I can only imagine how you feel right now.
-z
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 21:38:53
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell » Dinah, posted by zeugma on September 17, 2004, at 19:47:05
Thank you. And I am so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to invest yourself in a being whose natural life expectancy is less than a quarter of ours.
One day soon, I'm going to have to try to remember what was going on im my life when Harry was born and I fell in love. Which is what happened. When my last special love was born, she fell in love with me as soon as her eyes were open, and I fell captive to the intensity of her devotion. I've never been loved like that in my life. But with Harry, he loved everyone till I fell in love with his energy, his outgoing nature, and most of all his inordinate confidence. And he couldn't resist having a slavish admirer, so he fell in love back. :)
Posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 21:41:25
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 18:26:40
Well, clearly I fall into the twice the joy beliver category. :) Or perhaps joy squared. And most love to have company. Our first little dog was the rare exception. She found the next dog and all that followed to be unwelcome interlopers.
Posted by just plain jane on September 17, 2004, at 23:30:57
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 18:26:40
Toph,
YES!!! I agree on two (or more) pups at a time.
I've worked with, raised and trained dogs all my life and find it sooo much better with two, they bounce off each other, console, and understand one another.
Posted by iris2 on September 18, 2004, at 8:43:44
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 16:18:31
Toph,
I am also a dog lover. I have two "boys" George and Tiggie.
Your site was beautiful. I enjoyed looking at your pup and the joy you get from it.
irene
Posted by iris2 on September 18, 2004, at 8:59:25
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell, posted by Toph on September 17, 2004, at 18:26:40
> Anyway, lucky for you, Harry and the other dogs that you have each other. We are thinking of another Water Dog as a companion for Gus. Water Dogs are bright and energetic, as you mentioned, so two could be a hand full. I argue that its twice the joy.
> Babble is a new thing for me. My illness is thankfully under control and only a minor part of my persona now. Its been interesting here to share a space with others that are struggling with similar challenges that I have faced and that I will always have to be careful about treating.
My experience with my oldest "boy" George who is 12. When I was in a psychiatric ward of a hospital and called my pcp(a family freind) to help me he said that I had better find a good reason to live ( I was there because of a suicide attempt). I dreamt of a dog named George. I got out the next day bought a paper and read the dogs for sale on my way home in a taxi. When I got home I called one of the kennels close to my home. She had two pups left and I fell in love with both. At the time I was only allowed to have one pet where I lived. It took over an hour for me to pick George out. He was so tiny he fit into the palm of my hand. He saved my life. He really did and more than just that day. The unconditional love of and for a dog is very healing. Studies have shown that people with dogs live longer happier lives. I have not read your posts on the faith board. I will check them out. As you have had some illnesss and have a love for your dog and a great web page perhaps you should post some here about the healing power of having a dog. It has done wonders for me. Still very depressed and sometimes suicidal. It has prevented attempts a few times. I feel less lonely and even if I do not want to get out of bed I have to to take the "boy" out. Sometimes even when I am feeling terrible I can get myself to pretend to be "happy" laugh and jump around a little to play with the dogs or sometimes just to make them feel better.Irene
Posted by Toph on September 18, 2004, at 17:20:39
In reply to Re: Most of my dogs are unwell » Toph, posted by iris2 on September 18, 2004, at 8:59:25
Iris,
Thanks for sharing your story. George, no doubt, knows how important he is to you and how much you love him. If only we could be so devoted to our loved ones as our dogs are to us. I am bipolar in a major way, needing hospitalization when manic and suicide prevention when depressed. I resisted Lithium as a young adult, unable to accept that I had a chemical imperfection. This arrogance caused me to squander 10 years of my life as I repeatedly fell flat on my face every time I seemed to be getting my act together. With the birth of a son, Matthew, I somehow realized that I had to try whatever would keep me on my feet. I haven't seen those padded restraints in 23 years now thanks to Lithium.The last three years, coincidently (or not so coincidentally) since Matthew went off to Boulder to attend the University of Colorado, I have suffered terrible burnout in my job as a geriatric social worker. I have felt terribly ashamed that, while my interactions with clients are productive, my energy to complete the requisite paperwork is almost non-existent. I'm pretty sure this dysthymia has been helped considerably with my PWD buddy Gus. I will be trying Lamictal soon to see if I can float closer to the surface. Gus (not to slight Matthew, my two girls and my lovely wife) deserves a happier dad.
Posted by Toph on September 18, 2004, at 17:28:28
In reply to dogs » Toph, posted by just plain jane on September 17, 2004, at 23:30:57
> Toph,
>
> YES!!! I agree on two (or more) pups at a time.
>
> I've worked with, raised and trained dogs all my life and find it sooo much better with two, they bounce off each other, console, and understand one another.
>
Hi Jane,
As a matter of fact, the breeder of another Water Dog visited Gus today. Her dog Sydney will mate with Gus when Syd comes into season soon. Gus just finished his AKC championship (I didn't want to mention it because it sounds so snobby). Anyway we are not ready just yet for another dog cause Gus is only 2 1/2. But I don't know how we will resist one of his puppies!
Posted by Dinah on September 18, 2004, at 19:17:23
In reply to Re: dogs, posted by Toph on September 18, 2004, at 17:28:28
Not snobby!! If you have a purebred, and breed, it's very important to measure yourself against the breed standard, which is ideally what dog shows do.
All my little guys are champions. Not my bigger ones. Did you show him yourself or use a handler?
I was the absolutely worst handler in the world and couldn't have gotten a championship on a Westminster best in show winner. Presentation is not my strong suit, and my own gait is very poor which detracted from the dog's. My hind legs are set too close together, and I'm cowhocked. :(
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