Well...been another long day for the little girl, today. Last night Everett seemed to be having trouble swallowing. She consumed her dinner (my Champion Eater!), but within a few hours, something was not right. She started asking to go outside, only to turn around and ask for re-entry to the house. About 4am, she started wretching--thankfully she did not throw up. She ate breakfast fine (I fed her early to see if she'd eat, first, and second, hoping her meal might clear whatever was causing her to wretch), but soon thereafter seemed to be in additional stress. She started a pattern of lick, lick, swallow. Lick, lick, swallow. Every few seconds she did this, and the swallow was accompanied by a little head bob. She lay down in the kitchen but even with her head on the floor, the pattern continued--lick, lick, swallow. Lick, lick, swallow.
When she started digging at the kitchen floor, I knew something was really wrong, and off we went to the emergency room. Certain Eve had something stuck in her throat, I tried to describe her odd behavior, but the lick, lick, swallow spoke for itself. There was no doctor there yet, so they took Everett from me for observation 'til the vet arrived, and I went home.
Doctor called a few hours later after seeing Eve--I gave the rundown again, answered some questions, and then we hung up so the Doctor could call the University and talk to Eve's Oncologist. They took radiograms (X-rays) of her throat and chest, to make sure all her passageways were clear (they were). They tried feeding her hard food--the doctor said Eve dropped the first cookie, but later ate it. They gave her soft food, and water, and she consumed both right away.
So...once again, there is no definitive diagnosis for the odd behavior. Doctor did say the area around her tumor seems to be inflamed and possibly infected, so she prescribed some antibiotics and sent her home. On a side note, one of the technicians stayed with me while I waited for Everette to come out...in part of our small talk she let me know she and another tech experimented with Eve by giving her cookies--Eve ate the first one whole! Not a single chew...the tech said they first thought she'd dropped it because she was immediately looking for another one. Not knowing if this was before or after the vet tried giving Eve a cookie, I didn't really know what to do but laugh at the antics of the little girl.
I am so greatful to this wonderful staff, who has taken so much time with me. When I picked Everett up, the same vet spent a good 20 minutes telling me all they'd done with Eve, went over her radiogram with me, made sure I knew all that has been prescribed for Eve is in conjunction with the doctors at the U. It is true, we do not know what caused her bobbing, or floor digging.
Lastly, yet again the vet was just amazed at Everett's age. Since I've had her since October, 1994, her age may be off by a month or so, but not more...pride just oozes out of me every time a dog-smart person is so surprised at Everett's age. She is sleeping now, and I am hopeful she will sleep through the night with no head bobbing, or anything else. No idea what was causing her to be so stressed, and while it is frustrating not to know what's wrong, it is so gratifying to see her resting comfortably. You go, Girl!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Jenny's Day, Sunday, March 9
Today is Jenny's Day, so we'll pick up Everett's story tomorrow. Affectionately known as Jenner, this dear friend has been part of my life since we were 6 years old. We grew up across the street from each other, and a few months ago went on a roadtrip through Wisconsin to an area outside of Chicago. On the return trip, we passed several wind farms, and had a great time talking about them. So here's a photo, taken by Wagner Christian (06/2006), posted just for Jenner. Happy Trails! Much love,
Paige
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Everett's Birthday
Eric and I met Everett in October, 1994. We picked an arbitrary day in March as Everett's birthday. Because she already had her permanent teeth when we first met, the vet suggested she was born sometime this month--we chose the 6th because March 6, 1994 was the day I left the Twin Cities for Anchorage, AK.
Everett is from Newington, CT, where she was found by the police in a sorry state. Eric and I lived in CT at the time, and when we first saw her, she'd been in Connecticut K-9 for 7 days. She looked as though she'd just arrived. Starving, she was so thin her backbone, hip bones, and shoulder blades jutted out from under her skin, making her difficult to touch. She literally had no muscles. Eric called her a skeleton with dandruff and it was really true. Her hind legs were touching at what you and I might call her elbows (hock is the dog anatomy term), and sadly, the vet who checked her for us could not determine if this was a birth defect, or a result of starvation. But we were on the hunt for another dog, a special dog. Our resident pet, Kechel (age 6), was very particular whom he would let near me. Kechel was a rescue himself from a Dedham, MA shelter, when he was about 1.5 years old. A Vizsla/Doberman cross, Kechel had ALSO had a rough beginning and once he filled out, he became not only the world's most beautiful animal, but also my 24/7 guard dog. It was important that whatever dog we brought home was acceptable to Kechel. The introduction went well--with me nowhere near the pen, Eric was able to introduce this starving puppy to Kechel. I approached the pen...I entered the pen...I stroked and played with this sad excuse of a puppy and Kechel did not make any objections. Everett was so small compared to him, but he let her climb on him, chase him, allowed her near me. We brought her home. Eric named her Everett, after his paternal grandfather. Everett's frame was essentially full grown, but in her sad state she fit between Kechel's front and back legs when he stretched out on his side. We have no pictures of this--only the ones in our heads. In fact, we have no pictures of her first few days with us. In hindsight I wish we did, so we could compare, with accuracy, her progress.
So fast forward a bit--she filled out, thankfully with a sound structure, and poor Kechel probably never had another day in her presence, of complete peace. Everett was relentless almost from Day One, and in such a dilapidated state! In the course of her obedience training and daily conversation, Kechel became the Big Dog, and Everett the Little Girl. Eric and I learned if we wanted her to leave us alone, the best way to distract her was to give a toy to KECHEL. Kechel, bless his heart, tolerated most of her antics, to a point. As she grew, her challenges to him became more and more pronounced and within a few years, their disputes were sending Kechel to the hospital. She tore his ear. She put a hole in his flew (flaps that cover their teeth). I think the most serious injury was a tooth straight into his chest--we didn't know how serious it was until the next day when we woke up to a grapefruit sized sack of fluid on his ribs. He went in for emergency surgery, and came home with a catheter to allow drainage. I know there were more injuries--Eric might remember different ones than I do--but it was not ALL conflict. They played. They shared food. I have photos of them stretched out together in the sun. They stayed together in the bedroom while we were at work. We really did have a good time with both dogs. Everett became a GREAT running partner for me. I trained for my first marathon with her (she did not partake in the race--dogs aren't allowed). She demanded lots of exercise--much more than Kechel had needed as a young dog. I bought a harness for her and she learned how to pull me on rollerblades. I went through three pairs of blades over the next 6 years or so, which is impressive considering New England winters are not conducive to year round blading!
Eric and I went our separate ways when Everett was about 3.5, and Kechel was getting close to 10. I take full blame for the end of our relationship. We decided to switch dogs--I gave Kechel to Eric and I took Everett. Eric moved on, and a few years later married a good friend from high school. Their wedding was Friday--on Sunday he called to say Kechel was in need of help. Eric had returned home to MN by then--I was in Georgia. Kechel had been on meds for his heart for years--Eric had taken excellent care of him. At age 15 Kechel's heart was failing; he could not lie down because of the pressure his chest put on his heart. He had not slept in 3 days, and Eric didn't know what to do. He was leaving for Great Britain that day for a week of work, and Darci was joining him for their honeymoon overseas. Timing is everything, right? Together, we decided it was time to put Kechel to sleep, and Eric started married life without that last tie to me. I regret to this day that I was not there to help Eric in person with the important event of ending Kechel's life.
I have lived in four states since Everett and I left CT. I acquired Ansel in 1998, when my sister found him on her doorstep in Brooklyn, NY (I was still living in CT at the time, but Eric and Kechel had already moved to Chicago, so Kechel and Ansel never met). When I moved to the Boston area, I was running with both dogs--even blading with both, though Ansel never wore a harness (Everett did most of the pulling--he was just along for the ride). I lived in Brookline, and I look back on this now with AMAZEMENT, but we'd get up before daybreak on Saturdays and they'd pull me down Commonwealth Avenue. It was early enough that there was no serious traffic until our return trip time, and by then Eve was tired enough to be trotting instead of the full tilt running on the way out. Comm Ave is lined with oak trees...oak trees mean acorns in the fall...acorns mean squirrels...squirrels were something to chase and that meant I REALLY had to pay attention. Curbs, parked cars, traffic lights, gravel, broken pavement, and so on are all pitfalls to rollerblades and none of them meant ANYTHING to Everett as she kicked up her running to chase the ever-present squirrels. I'll say with a straight face that it must've been just hilarious watching our progress down the street as she lunged for squirrel after squirrel, and acted as my brake at the same time if she made it to the object allowing the squirrel's escape--usually a tree. She'd jump up on the tree while I zoomed past her, and dig in when my weight reached the end of the leash. I don't remember any incidents where Ansel went after a different squirrel than Eve...what would I have done if the dogs went in different directions and there I am on wheels?? Thankfully, he's never been a very good tracker--Eve follows the same squirrel as far as she can see it, including along phone lines but Ansel has never been that observant.
Fast forward again, and Eve is pulling me for miles on the Silver Comet trail, outside Atlanta, GA. I used to drive for more than 30 minutes every weekend, to get to this trail. I feel terrible saying this, but we'd go so far that we wore off some of the pads on Ansel's paws. Poor Ansel! Of course as soon as I realized what was happening I stopped taking him--at least for the longer durations. This exercise was so important that the location of my first home purchase was influenced by the trail--the home had to be within reasonable driving distance of the trail. By the time I bought my second home in GA Everett was old enough that the blading was not mandatory, but optional.
Fast forward again, and here we are in MN. Since Eve is from CT, and Ansel is from NY, the winter snow is not unknown to them, but perhaps the cold is a bit much for their bones. Ansel, as we know, has almost no hair, so he REALLY doesn't like temperatures below 10 degrees. Everett has a lot more insulation, but also has more years, so the magic 10 degrees is about her limit too. Up to this winter, I was still running with both dogs although the distances have come way down. These days our runs are so short I don't even put on running shoes--boots, clogs, and flip flops have all been "running" foot attire.
I have more stories, but I think this blog is long enough for today. It is obvious that we saved Everett's life by adopting her in October, 1994. We've been through a lot--lived in different places, done different things, known different opportunities and situations. Through all of this, I feel greatful to say, I think Everett has saved my life too. Happy birthday, Little Girl.
Everett is from Newington, CT, where she was found by the police in a sorry state. Eric and I lived in CT at the time, and when we first saw her, she'd been in Connecticut K-9 for 7 days. She looked as though she'd just arrived. Starving, she was so thin her backbone, hip bones, and shoulder blades jutted out from under her skin, making her difficult to touch. She literally had no muscles. Eric called her a skeleton with dandruff and it was really true. Her hind legs were touching at what you and I might call her elbows (hock is the dog anatomy term), and sadly, the vet who checked her for us could not determine if this was a birth defect, or a result of starvation. But we were on the hunt for another dog, a special dog. Our resident pet, Kechel (age 6), was very particular whom he would let near me. Kechel was a rescue himself from a Dedham, MA shelter, when he was about 1.5 years old. A Vizsla/Doberman cross, Kechel had ALSO had a rough beginning and once he filled out, he became not only the world's most beautiful animal, but also my 24/7 guard dog. It was important that whatever dog we brought home was acceptable to Kechel. The introduction went well--with me nowhere near the pen, Eric was able to introduce this starving puppy to Kechel. I approached the pen...I entered the pen...I stroked and played with this sad excuse of a puppy and Kechel did not make any objections. Everett was so small compared to him, but he let her climb on him, chase him, allowed her near me. We brought her home. Eric named her Everett, after his paternal grandfather. Everett's frame was essentially full grown, but in her sad state she fit between Kechel's front and back legs when he stretched out on his side. We have no pictures of this--only the ones in our heads. In fact, we have no pictures of her first few days with us. In hindsight I wish we did, so we could compare, with accuracy, her progress.
So fast forward a bit--she filled out, thankfully with a sound structure, and poor Kechel probably never had another day in her presence, of complete peace. Everett was relentless almost from Day One, and in such a dilapidated state! In the course of her obedience training and daily conversation, Kechel became the Big Dog, and Everett the Little Girl. Eric and I learned if we wanted her to leave us alone, the best way to distract her was to give a toy to KECHEL. Kechel, bless his heart, tolerated most of her antics, to a point. As she grew, her challenges to him became more and more pronounced and within a few years, their disputes were sending Kechel to the hospital. She tore his ear. She put a hole in his flew (flaps that cover their teeth). I think the most serious injury was a tooth straight into his chest--we didn't know how serious it was until the next day when we woke up to a grapefruit sized sack of fluid on his ribs. He went in for emergency surgery, and came home with a catheter to allow drainage. I know there were more injuries--Eric might remember different ones than I do--but it was not ALL conflict. They played. They shared food. I have photos of them stretched out together in the sun. They stayed together in the bedroom while we were at work. We really did have a good time with both dogs. Everett became a GREAT running partner for me. I trained for my first marathon with her (she did not partake in the race--dogs aren't allowed). She demanded lots of exercise--much more than Kechel had needed as a young dog. I bought a harness for her and she learned how to pull me on rollerblades. I went through three pairs of blades over the next 6 years or so, which is impressive considering New England winters are not conducive to year round blading!
Eric and I went our separate ways when Everett was about 3.5, and Kechel was getting close to 10. I take full blame for the end of our relationship. We decided to switch dogs--I gave Kechel to Eric and I took Everett. Eric moved on, and a few years later married a good friend from high school. Their wedding was Friday--on Sunday he called to say Kechel was in need of help. Eric had returned home to MN by then--I was in Georgia. Kechel had been on meds for his heart for years--Eric had taken excellent care of him. At age 15 Kechel's heart was failing; he could not lie down because of the pressure his chest put on his heart. He had not slept in 3 days, and Eric didn't know what to do. He was leaving for Great Britain that day for a week of work, and Darci was joining him for their honeymoon overseas. Timing is everything, right? Together, we decided it was time to put Kechel to sleep, and Eric started married life without that last tie to me. I regret to this day that I was not there to help Eric in person with the important event of ending Kechel's life.
I have lived in four states since Everett and I left CT. I acquired Ansel in 1998, when my sister found him on her doorstep in Brooklyn, NY (I was still living in CT at the time, but Eric and Kechel had already moved to Chicago, so Kechel and Ansel never met). When I moved to the Boston area, I was running with both dogs--even blading with both, though Ansel never wore a harness (Everett did most of the pulling--he was just along for the ride). I lived in Brookline, and I look back on this now with AMAZEMENT, but we'd get up before daybreak on Saturdays and they'd pull me down Commonwealth Avenue. It was early enough that there was no serious traffic until our return trip time, and by then Eve was tired enough to be trotting instead of the full tilt running on the way out. Comm Ave is lined with oak trees...oak trees mean acorns in the fall...acorns mean squirrels...squirrels were something to chase and that meant I REALLY had to pay attention. Curbs, parked cars, traffic lights, gravel, broken pavement, and so on are all pitfalls to rollerblades and none of them meant ANYTHING to Everett as she kicked up her running to chase the ever-present squirrels. I'll say with a straight face that it must've been just hilarious watching our progress down the street as she lunged for squirrel after squirrel, and acted as my brake at the same time if she made it to the object allowing the squirrel's escape--usually a tree. She'd jump up on the tree while I zoomed past her, and dig in when my weight reached the end of the leash. I don't remember any incidents where Ansel went after a different squirrel than Eve...what would I have done if the dogs went in different directions and there I am on wheels?? Thankfully, he's never been a very good tracker--Eve follows the same squirrel as far as she can see it, including along phone lines but Ansel has never been that observant.
Fast forward again, and Eve is pulling me for miles on the Silver Comet trail, outside Atlanta, GA. I used to drive for more than 30 minutes every weekend, to get to this trail. I feel terrible saying this, but we'd go so far that we wore off some of the pads on Ansel's paws. Poor Ansel! Of course as soon as I realized what was happening I stopped taking him--at least for the longer durations. This exercise was so important that the location of my first home purchase was influenced by the trail--the home had to be within reasonable driving distance of the trail. By the time I bought my second home in GA Everett was old enough that the blading was not mandatory, but optional.
Fast forward again, and here we are in MN. Since Eve is from CT, and Ansel is from NY, the winter snow is not unknown to them, but perhaps the cold is a bit much for their bones. Ansel, as we know, has almost no hair, so he REALLY doesn't like temperatures below 10 degrees. Everett has a lot more insulation, but also has more years, so the magic 10 degrees is about her limit too. Up to this winter, I was still running with both dogs although the distances have come way down. These days our runs are so short I don't even put on running shoes--boots, clogs, and flip flops have all been "running" foot attire.
I have more stories, but I think this blog is long enough for today. It is obvious that we saved Everett's life by adopting her in October, 1994. We've been through a lot--lived in different places, done different things, known different opportunities and situations. Through all of this, I feel greatful to say, I think Everett has saved my life too. Happy birthday, Little Girl.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Radiation Wednesday #4
Sticking with tradition, on Everett's day in the hospital, here is a photo of Ansel. We took this photo this morning, after I dropped Everett off for her day of discomfort.
Well, it has been a frustrating day overall. I have had a number of technical problems, and truth be told, I attribute all my bad feelings about my day to covert worry about the little girl.
Her day went according to schedule--she received both radiation #4 and vaccine #3.
The REALLY GREAT NEWS is that her tumor seems to be significantly smaller this week. Last week's measurements were 2cmx1.5x.5. This week's measurements are 1.5x1.0x.5.
She has diarrhea again, but since rice seemed to help her last week (thanks again, Jenner!!), I have already added rice for her breakfast, so hopefully the upset tummy will not last. Her paperwork says something about her liver being abnormal, but it doesn't say how, and the tech that brought Everett to me didn't know anything about her case so I have to call in tomorrow.
Hopefully tomorrow is a better day!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Democrat Decision Tuesday (3/4)
There are bigger things happening in the world, than an elderly dog dying of cancer. The democratic process is in full swing...winter just MAY be coming to an end in the next 4 months or so...babies are born...people are losing their livelihood as the US economy continues to respond to the changing housing market.
And yet, amongst all these things, I am spending every evening "running" in the streets when I return home, wiggling around on the floors chasing ropes and rawhides, piling on the blankets at rest time, and doing all the little things I wish I'd done every day of Everett's 14 years. She is going to die in 2008, and no matter my own or the country's economic situation this year and coming years, 2008 will always be the year I lost the little girl.
Wouldn't it be great, if her incredible stamina brought her into 2009? Here's to hoping!
And yet, amongst all these things, I am spending every evening "running" in the streets when I return home, wiggling around on the floors chasing ropes and rawhides, piling on the blankets at rest time, and doing all the little things I wish I'd done every day of Everett's 14 years. She is going to die in 2008, and no matter my own or the country's economic situation this year and coming years, 2008 will always be the year I lost the little girl.
Wouldn't it be great, if her incredible stamina brought her into 2009? Here's to hoping!
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Party for the Birthday Girl
This is Fritz, pictured with Everett. Fritz is my sister Nina's German Shephard, who, as you can see, is the size of a small horse. Not a small pony, but a small horse. He's huge. And, while his size makes him slightly intimidating, Fritz has to be one of the nicest dogs I know.
We had a party for Everett Saturday. Fritz and Trooper and Gus (Jenny's boys) were the doggy guests, along with humans Nina and Jenny. Gus and Trooper and Fritz spent the party outside romping in the snow and relative warm weather, while the humans ate dinner and admired Everett inside. She did spend some time out with the boys, but not too much. The age difference, and her still tired countenance from treatment, lead to a game-time decision that she would sit out for much of the romping.
We had grilled steak, some favorite vegetables, two kinds of bread, much wine, and ice cream to top it all off--doggies had a teeny bit of the doggy cake I made. Everett is the only dog that had any "frosting" on hers--cottage cheese that I did not have time to puree--but all seemed to enjoy it. The doggy bags for later included a bacon truffle from Rachel Ray--we humans liked those too.
I am so glad both Jenny and Nina were able to come over, with their dogs. Poor Ansel had to sit out the party--though he is a fraction of Fritz' size Ansel put holes in Fritz' face the first time they met--but he had treats in his crate and I did not hear any whining eminating from the bedroom. I think Everett had a good time, even though she had limited access to romping. Her "real" birthday is March 6th, but that is the day after her next treatment, so we had the party early. Happy Birthday, Little Girl! Maybe we will just celebrate all week. :-)
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