Hello to you all. Those of you who have followed my posts for Niles and Frasier may remember that I have mentioned our lab mix, Buck. On top of a hundred other things I am dealing with this evening unrelated to my pets, Buck is having problems. Last year in March he had an issue with his back or shoulders where he could barely get up and could only walk gingerly in a circle. When we took him into the vet we discovered his kidneys were beginning to fail but that didn't have anything to do with the inability to walk. He eventually pulled out of it and we chalked it up to him pulling something while playing.
We've managed to keep his kidneys pretty much under control although he is due next week for his next check. His last numbers had gone up so I suspect they won't be good this time either. Tonight he is in obvious discomfort and is unable to turn to the left or lay on his left side. My husband has been massaging him but Buck keeps hollering out. I can't begin to tell you all the other things I'm going through this evening but suffice it to say that serious family problems on my side of the family are coming to a head. Things are very tense. I guess I'm telling you all this because I want you to know why I'm freaking out over Buck. He could be ok by morning but I'm sure I won't sleep tonight. We just gave him one of his pain pills that we give him for his terrible hips (we usually give him one every other day). I hope that will help but it didn't help the last time. I don't know what to do.
With having lost Niles and Frasier so recently and so close to one another, I will simply unwind if Buck begins to rapidly decline. I know y'all can't do anything and I'm not searching for answers as to what is wrong with him, I just needed the support. Please remember him this evening in your prayers, if you will. Thank you.
-Donna

Hi Donna
I will say a prayer for you and your Buck tonight. I can so relate to just not being able to take much more. I lost Max in Dec then January they didnt expect my mom to make it through the night, got through that then in February lost our Dozer so I know just how you are feeling Donna. I pray that tomorrow Buck will be better.
Hopefully it is like you said maybe he has pulled something. I will be thinking of you.

Hugs to you and Buck
xoxox
Anna and My Angels

Dear Donna

I'm sending hugs and prayers for you and your Buck. Hope he's soon recovered and back to his usual self. Your Angels Niles and Frasier will be watching over you all.

Love
Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

Donna,

I am so sorry Buck was not doing well last night. I hope he is feeling better this morning. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how your are doing. I am so sorry your are going through yet another difficult time.

God Bless.
Karen

Thank you everyone. We were able to get some sleep. He was finally able to lay on his side. He's feeling better this morning but still a little stiff. With his hips as bad as they are, he just needs all the strength in his shoulders. So when there's a problem near his neck, he's really in trouble. My husband spoke to the vet this morning and we are taking him off of his regular pain meds and putting him on a steroid for a week or so and also some pepcid ac in case the steroid upsets his stomach. I'm hopeful that he'll get some relief but I'm also sad because my vet told me a year ago that going to the steroids would be nearing the end of our options. But he did say that last year in terms of his hips, not this problem, so maybe.....
He believes that Buck is suffering from an arthritis episode in his neck area. All of our options at this point in his life do potentially compromise his kidneys further but it is a risk we have to take, I feel. In some way, I'm relieved that Buck does have kidney issues because I would hate to have to put him to sleep just because of hip dysplasia when he is otherwise fine. Knowing there are other complications actually makes it "easier", if I can even use that word. Hopefully, y'all know what I mean. He is nowhere near being put to sleep but it would just be so hard if his only problem was that he couldn't get up. Does that make sense?
Anyway, he's resting right now with a full tummy because I gave him some doggie ice cream. He has just come inside from digging in the woodpile looking for that chipmunk! I know, I know, digging in the woodpile if he's hurting so bad? Well, yes. That chipmunk and those squirrels are his dire enemies, you know. He would go after them if he had no back legs! Thank you again for your support. I really need it!
-Donna

Hi Donna--

I know EXACTLY what you mean! There is NOTHING wrong with Ladywolf (now that her sore is healing) except her rear legs. The front part of the wolf is perfectly normal!

I have to run off to substitute teach so I only had a minute, but I wanted you to know how glad I am that it may be something less "major" with Buck, and that I do know just what you're talking about.

More later--big hugs--margi and the wolf

Dear (((((Donna & Buck)))))

I didn't see your post until just now. I'm happy to hear that Buck was able to get some rest last night on his side, and that you and your husband were able to get some sleep, too.
I will keep Buck in my thoughts and prayers today and hope that the steroids will help to relieve the arthritis/inflammation in his neck so that he can feel a lot better!



I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a lot -- I'll definitely keep you in my prayers as well, Donna.

Much love and lots of hugs.

God Bless.

Denise

Hi Donna,
I cannot even imagine the tragedy of losing two babies to then think of having a 3rd one go through any type of pain!!! Cleo had really bad arthritis too and we gave her a bunch of glucosamine and chondrotin to regulate her pain on a daily basis, but we ONLY gave her drugs (Rymadil) if she was in a lot of pain, which was rare. Also, a life saver for Cleo when she had arthritis was swimming. Does Buck like to swim at all? That place we took Cleo even has life jackets for doggies to help them stay afloat. Swimming allows them to use their muscles and strengthen their joints without putting pressure on those joints. One of Cleo's favorite past-times and great therapy!!!

Hi, Donna, I'm just being able to get caught up on your posts. I am so sorry that Buck is having challenges now, particularly so soon after your loss of both Frasier and Niles. Boy, do I really have a good idea what you're feeling!!! Unfortunately there are side effects with the meds we give to our furkids just like there are side-effects to the meds us humans take, and they are quite similar. The "good news" is that hopefully you will be able to give your precious Buck a good "quality of life" so that you can continue to enjoy each other's company for many more days, weeks, months - - and . . . . And oh yeah, I do know what you mean about those squirrels and chipmonks - -!!! When you see that happen you gotta know that Buck isn't ready to "cash in his chips" yet!! And seeing him have that "spirit" must make your heart flutter with hope and joy.

Please know you and Buck are close in my thoughts and prayers, Donna, and please, please keep us posted as to how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Margi, Denise, Loci, and Moonbeam - thank you all so much for your support. Buck started his steroid this evening so I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow. He'll start tapering off of it in a couple of days. Luckily, it's not the medication I thought is was going to be. It's just Prednisone and we've gone that route before and it worked for him. It's just that his back end is so much worse now than it was this time last year so he's having a hard time maneuvering around. He's such a sweet, gentle soul - it's so hard to see him hurt. And you just hope that the words you say them can be understood in some way. I've tried to explain to him that this is ok and that I know how it feels since I have back problems at times.
His nerves just don't fire like they used to so sometimes one of his legs doesn't go when the rest of him does. One of his back paws will sometimes turn under and he can't get it right to walk. With his front end hurting and restricted, it's just really more obvious how bad his back end is. He's 11 1/2 and has lived a king's life. I know we can't keep him forever but that doesn't stop me from wishing. I know you all know how I feel. Why do we have to love them so much? Why do they have to be so sweet? I've often joked that Buck doesn't think he's part of the family, he thinks he part of the marriage! I know I haven't talked about him that much on my other posts but he really is very much a part of our marriage. Just like the brothers, he's part of all of our decisions. He goes with us as much as we can take him.
Please pray that he'll feel more mobile tomorrow. Thank you all again.
-Donna

Hi Donna,

sending prayers for Buck....I hope he is chasing squirrels today. Labs and mixes are such great animals...Brutus was the same way...he would be hurting but when he saw the lake, the fire in his eyes would light up and he would endure the pain just to do his favorite thing...fish.

Hugs to you and your precious Buck,
Brutus' Mom

I too am sending prayers for Buck that he is out and about and enjoying the world today.

Yes, Labradogs and mixes are so SILLY!! Poppers too loved to fish more than anything. At least her fishing gear wasn't expensive, and she didn't need any bait! (Never mind that she never CAUGHT anything either...)

Ladywolf and I are seeking prayers today too--I am taking her to the vet for a check-up, bloodwork, etc.--so I am looking for decent, if not good, news. I haven't seen a vet since she got the cancer diagnosis in January, and honestly, there hasn't been a lot of deterioration yet, so it's time to find out more than I could afford to do last time (like what kind of cancer is it, if it is indeed cancer, and could she be on stronger pain meds, etc.) 4 p..m. today, AZ time.

Oh, I DO hope that Buck is bouncing back??

Big hugs--Margi and the Wolfster

Hi, Donna, just getting caught up on posts and hoping that today is being kind to you and Buck. Yesterday evening I had a chance to visit with Abbygayle's and Noah's rescuers, and I took them a copy of Abbygayle's video for them to have. Except for being home for a couple of hours after work to spend with Noah, I didn't get home to stay until around 9 p.m.. All I wanted to do was get into my nighty night comfy clothes and snuggle with my little boy before calling it a day for good. So, I wasn't online at all yesterday.

I hope the Pred does its "magic" for Buck. Oslo had the same thing with his rear legs with not always being able to properly place his feet because of the degenerative neuropathy. But he was a trooper and did not give up. It sounds like your Buck has the same determined spirit, and until that changes - - just enjoy each moment of every day that you have together, which I know you are already doing.

Donna, please know you and Buck are in my thoughts and prayers, and I will look forward to knowing how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. Buck is not having a good day today, though. He was doing better but didn't respond as well as the last time but he is a year older. My husband took him to the lake this morning for a little soft exercise in the water. Maybe it was too soon but he did well. When they got home, my husband bathed him and we ran an errand. When we got back Buck was shaking alot. I know he's hurting but I can't give him anything else for pain right now. He hasn't had a Pred since last night because we are supposed to begin tapering off so he doesn't get another until tonight. The odd thing is that even though I can see in his face that he's hurting, he's also wagging his tail, wanting a treat, and wanting to play with the golf ball. But he keeps shaking and moving very slowly. We wrapped him in blankets and he settled a bit. I know he can't regulate his body temperature as well because of his age and the water was cold. He's done this once before after swimming and wrapping him in blankets helped. But it's the look on his face that's bothering me. Unfortunately, my husband had to go to work so of course I'm alone with him to watch and obsess over all day. I have so many things I need to do but I don't want to leave him. I know you all know what that feels like. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow, I will have to drop him off at the vet. Then my work day is ruined because I'll have knots in my stomach all day. I'm just whining but I haven't been 100% at work in awhile due to several things back to back to back........ Maybe I'll just take the day off since I haven't taken any time off during all the junk that's been going on. I'll just have to see.
I'm trying to learn from my experiences with Frasier and Niles and apply that to Buck's situation. The scary thing is that I'm still so weary of all the vigilance, anxiety, care, and just everything that was required of me in their last weeks, that I feel myself giving up on Buck too soon. I can't help but think, "why go through all this, you know he's going to die!" And I hate that! He's just so much larger than they were and I didn't have to deal with them falling down and getting hurt. It's so hard to watch such a beautiful, big creature fall and become helpless. It makes me afraid to leave him alone ever. I would die if I came home to find he'd broken a leg because he fell. I don't mean to paint an incorrect picture of what he's like right now because he doesn't fall all the time. He usually catches himself before he goes all the way down. But I know it's coming.
When it rains, it pours! Thank you for letting me lay my woes down for a minute.
-Donna

I'm sorry Donna...I know what you mean about watching him fall...it broke my heart to see Brutus fall and stumble...its very scarey...they don't understand 'why' they are falling..Brutus just didn't get that he wasn't young anymore until the last couple weeks...he always tried....I'm sending lots of prayers for you and Buck.

Hugs,
Brutus' Mom

Hi, Donna, thank you for sharing the latest news about Buck. Please let me say this: You are NOT giving up on Buck. This is quite evident. Your heart would never let you give up on any fur child. I do so know what you're feeling because I went through it with Oslo and Abbygayle. We, too, have physical bodies, and when it is overloaded with stress our bodies and spirits are affected by it - - both physically and emotionally. So, it is important for you to try to find a way to release some of the pressure, and I hope coming here and sharing with us what is happening and how you're doing helps.

I wish there was something tangible I could do to help you, Donna, but unfortunately the only thing I can do is to try to give you some encouragement and comfort. I hope that helps, too. Please know that you and Buck are close in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Brutus' mom, thank you for your support. It's especially helpful coming from you because I remember Brutus' story and how it rang reality for me.

Moonbeam, your words are also especially comforting because I know you know the loss of so many so quickly. I appreciate that you wish you could do more for me but honestly, what you do is the best. With all the stress going on in my family, this forum has been a retreat (which I know sounds kind of bad since we're all here because of sad circumstances). Other than my husband, this is the only support I have right now with respect to my pets. Because of what is going on, I feel that pet trouble is insignificant to other people. Sadly, other people would be my own family. So, what I get from people on this forum is keeping me sane. By the way, I read your post and I think it's really neat that you have contact with the people who rescued Abbygayle and Noah. I often wished I could "report" back to the girl I got my boys from and let her know they were old, fat, and happy. The people I got Buck from also kept his brother and they had his mother. Both his brother and his mother have passed away so I feel especially blessed to have Buck this long. I do keep in contact with the owners but it's hard because I know they hurt when they hear he is still here even though they would never wish he wasn't. I just know it brings back their loss.

An update on Buck this afternoon, he is resting. I've been trying to learn about acupressure and massage. I watched several videos and read some articles. I wish I knew someone who did it professionally. I'll have to check into that. I did do what I could and we spent about an hour together. I ended by giving him a good massage and brushing (which he desperately needed after his morning bath!) He was loving it and I could tell it felt good. I brought him inside for a little doggie ice cream and now he is "cooling it" on the dining room floor. I remember once hearing Martha Stewart say that grooming a pet yourself is one of the best forms of bonding you can do. I totally believe that. Frasier hated being brushed so that was a lost cause but Niles loved it and I believe it was when I was brushing him that we were the closest. I feel that with Buck too. I know he knows we love him and that's the most important thing to me.

I'll update again later if there are any changes. Thanks again.
-Donna

Hi, Donna, I'm glad to know that Buck is resting comfortably. Massage therapy is helpful, and I'm glad you're seeing some positive results in what you did for Buck today. It helps to relax the muscles and reduces stress. After Oslo did his AAT visits I would bring him home, wipe him down with a cool wet towel, give him a massage, and eventually he would stretch out on his bed and take a nap. When he woke up I would give him a nice brushing, and he was refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening with his family.

There is another side to keeping in touch with the folks who gave you Buck: It could also be comforting to them to know that Buck is still here, that the connection to his brother and mother is still here. It's a two-edged sword, perhaps.

It sounds like you and Buck are having a peaceful afternoon, and I hope it continues this way. Please know you and Buck are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

I just wanted to let you know, that you and little Buck are in my thoughts and prayers Donna.

Hi Donna--

I too am glad to hear that Buck had a great, indulgent massage and was resting comfortably. There seem to be "up" days and "down" days with so many of our ill loved ones--I know that Ladywolf goes through cycles of better and worse, and I don't really understand it--it seems as if she should be steadily, slowly declining, not bouncing around one moment and lying as if dead the next. And I watch all these changes so closely--it's like she's become a canine thermometer or something...

So Buck is probably going to have good days and bad days too, and I'm really sorry for you for having to endure those bad days. You've been through a terrific amount of loss already--it just doesn't seem fair! (Like having Ladywolf diagnosed with cancer right after Poppers, my labrador, died, just didn't seem fair!)

Our thoughts and hearts are with you in this challenging time--

Margi and Wonder Wolf

Hi Donna,

Just wanted to let you know you and Buck are in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad Buck enjoyed the massage. Lily's leg gets stiff and she will hobble on three. I will massage her leg - I think it makes her feel better. We took her to the vet in January and she put her on Dasuquin and it seems to help her. She is a 7 year old jack russell terror (oops I mean terrier - ha, ha). I wish animals could talk and let us know how they are feeling. We worry so much about our little fur-kids. When they hurt, we hurt. I know when Shelby was sick I was so worried, I just didn't know what to do. I know all too well what you are feeling.

I agree with Margi - life just doesn't feel fair sometimes.

Take care.
Karen

This is my boy Buck. I tried to attach another picture where he doesn't look sad but it wouldn't upload and I don't know how to change the size.

Click to view attachment

Hi Tanbuck

Thank you for shareing Bucks picture he is so pretty. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Hugs
Anna & My Angels Max,Dozer
xoxo

Hi, Donna, thank you so oo much for sharing a picture of your handsome Buck. What a handsome lad he is!!! I hope you both are having a peaceful day today, and am wondering if you went to work today. I think he has a vet check up soon, doesn't he? I will be waiting with you to know how things go. Please know you and Buck are always close in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hey everyone. Buck had a better day today. I spoke to the vet and he wants me to continue the pred for every day instead of dropping to every other day. I think that is best. Moonbeam, he does have an appointment later this week to check his kidneys. Thanks for remembering. Dr. R. said that he didn't want to do anything dramatic in the way of treatment for his pain until we check his kidneys. His appointment was supposed to be this coming Sat. a.m. but we have to go on a much dreaded trip out of town for the day (that other stuff going on in my family) so I moved his appointment to Friday. I'm concerned because if I get bad news regarding his kidneys, it will make that trip on Saturday even worse. I don't like to leave him alone any more than we have to. I did have to work today and I won't be off again until Friday.
I worked really hard yesterday on the acupressure and massage. He enjoyed it. I massaged him for a little while tonight. He really likes massages. So spoiled! When I got up off the lawn, I needed a massage! I think maybe all that stuff has helped. I'll keep it up.
His spirits are back up tonight and he doesn't look distressed. We can still see the uneasiness in his gait and of course there's always the weakness in his back legs. But all in all, I'm pleased with him today because of the expression on his face. He's wanting to play but we're holding off. My husband did turn on the sprinkler for a minute so he could bite the water. He had a blast. That's enough for today, I think.
I guess I better go so I can rub his back some more. Gosh, I love that dog! And for some reason, I've had a tugging at my heart about Niles and Frasier today.
-Donna

Hi Donna,

I'm so glad the preds are starting to work for Buck and I'm sure the massages are doing wonders as well...sending prayers for continued good results.

Hugs,
Sonya

Hi, Donna, I'm glad you and Buck had a good day yesterday, and hope that today is being equally kind to you, if not better. I am so o o o glad that Buck is enjoying his massages. When I did them on my Oslo I could feel the tension just release from his body, and it was such a joy to see his whole body relax. Many a time I wished he could return the favor!!! He did give me lots of sweet Oslo kisses!!!

Please let us know as soon as you can how things go with Friday's appointment and please know you and Buck are in my thoughts and prayers, Donna.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Sonya and Moonbeam, thank you for your kind words. Buck is feeling much better as of yesterday. He is really aggravated that his daddy won't hit the golf ball for him but we decided that it would be best to hold off for a few more days. We now think that playing too much and swimming Sunday a.m. was too much too soon because he's done much better since we started making him rest. And with him feeling better, I also feel better. I'm a little anxious about the bloodwork for his kidneys on Friday though.
Moonbeam, thank you ever so much for your sweet words on all 3 of my posts. You have a special gift for comfort, that's for sure.
And now to the crazy stuff......I don't believe I've done this but I finally gave my husband the "go ahead" to bring home yet another girl kitty. So that will make 2! Two when I didn't want ANY!!! But both circumstances are unique. These baby girls didn't choose their situations but we can make them better, so I caved in. I folded like a cheap suit! The first one we got shortly after Niles died because she was abandoned at our vet. Her former owners must have loved her but felt they had no other choice, I guess. She was left in her carrier on the doorstep with all her belongings, food, etc. and note asking them to take care of her. For 3 weeks no one expressed an interest in her and I thought she was cute. She's full-grown but very small. Her name is now Daphne November Rain.
The second kitty is also full-grown and very small. She belongs to my brother-in-law who doesn't think of pets the way my husband and I do. He wanted us to take her after Frasier died but I wouldn't do that to Niles. He had gotten a kitten and it was terrorizing her. Then recently he decided to get a 2 year old dog who has now attacked her twice. My brother-in-law thought he killed her the first time so he covered her with a blanket to deal with later! (what a guy!) When he came back she had moved. My husband said after the second time she was attacked that if anything happened to her he would feel so guilty because we could've helped her. So.......she will be here in a little bit. I hope Daphne will accept her. Her name is Sarah and we will continue to call her that but for me, I will name her The Countess Serelyn Pilar. She deserves to be royalty, I think. She's been passed around so much, I feel sorry for her. She's never settled into their home and it is much more quiet in our home. Daphne seems lonely so maybe, just maybe........
I'll let you all know what happens. Wish me luck. I just miss my boys, I don't want any of this. You know? I just still feel stuck in wanting to go back in time. Sometimes, I just can't accept that they're gone. GONE! They just can't be gone. They knew me so well and I miss that so much. Anyway, thanks for reading.
-Donna

Hi Donna,

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and Buck today. I will say a prayer that Buck's blood work comes back with good news and I hope your trip goes well for you. I know you have been going through a stressful time - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care,
Karen

Hi Donna--

Congratulations on taking in Daphne and the Countess! They both have such poignant stories--how could you resist? I kow they're not the pets you wish you still had, but they sound like two deserving little girls who really NEED a good home! I know you didn't really "want them," but they obviously wanted you, or you wouldn't have them. I bet you start to melt around them in no time.

I too will be thinking about you and Buck and his lab work today, and sending positive thoughts n your direction. Please let us know as soon as you can what the outcome is. I'm glad he;s been having a couple of good days!

Big hugs from Margi and WOnderwolf

Hey all. We just got back from the vet's. Although Buck is acting fine now other than the weakness in his hips, his bloodwork was pretty bad. He's lost 10 pounds since February (which we really find hard to believe because he doesn't look like it at all) and his numbers have really shot up. Our vet is amazed that he is doing as well as he is. He said most dogs would be semi-comatose at this point. We are switching to a steroid to help with muscle deterioration and weaning off the prednisone. Our vet doesn't want to change much because he says we could blow Buck off the surfboard with a gentle breeze. He says even though things don't look good, we have to go by how Buck acts and keep doing what we're doing.
So, I'm happy that Buck is defying odds (a phenom as Dr. R. put it) but it puts me on pins and needles to know that he can take a plunge any day. And when he does, according to Dr.R, it will be a dramatic plunge most likely.
I know that whatever is going to happen is going to happen. But it's just so soon. I know that the lesson I need to learn is to live in the moment because the next one may not be there. But it's just so soon.
Thank you all for reading.
-Donna

Dear Donna--

Just a gentle reminder--my vet gave Ladywolf a few weeks to live because of her cancer, and she has lived six MONTHS longer so far. So miracles ARE possible--don't listen too closely to you vet's dire warnings, as it may not all turn out that way--it may be better.

Sorry, though, to hear that his bloodwork was bad. Poor Buck and poor you! My heart is with you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Margi and Wonderwolf

Dear Donna,
Thank you so much for sharing with us how Buck's vet visit went. I know it's hard to even think about Buck's fragile status, but it really sounds like he's doing very well in spite of the results of the medical tests. This is a true testimony to the wonderful care you and your husband are giving him, so just keep on enjoying every minute you have with him.
I do know how difficult it is bringing new babies into your heart right now. If a homeless waif were to show up on the doorstep, I know Noah and I would take him / her / or them in without hesitation, but I'm not going to go "looking" for another companion right now. In your case, however, even though the "timing" isn't the most ideal for you, it is for them as it sounds like they really need a safe place to be, and I'm glad they are with you and your husband. Remember, sometimes "Love Comes Softly" - - as the Hallmark movie showed. Sometimes just caring to give these abandoned little lives a safe place is enough - - for now. Perhaps one day you will find that the bond with these two little girls has grown and deepened just from the day to day routines of taking care of them - - and you will be able to embrace it then.
I hope the rest of the weekend goes okay for you - - that you and your husband will have a safe journey tomorrow. Again, thank you so much for letting us know how things went for Buck today at the vet, please know you and Buck are close in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Sending prayers Donna...one thing I know is that labs are fighters. My vet was amazed that Brutus did as well as he did considering all the medical issues he had prior. They don't give up. Keep doing what you're doing because it sounds like you are doing exactly right.

Hugs to you and Buck,
Brutus' Mom

Thinking of you Dear Donna, and Buck and your new little kitties. Sending prayers for Buck. Your precious Angels will be watching over you all.

Love Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

Hi Donna,

I am sorry Buck's blood work did not turn out well, but just remember you are treating Buck not the number (that is what my vet told me and the advise I received from the members of Tanya's CRF site). Like Margi and Brutus' mom said, it sounds like Buck is a real fighter. Enjoy each day and try not to worry - I know easier said than done. It sounds like he is doing well. Loved the picture you posted, what a beautiful boy.

I am so glad the little girls found their way into your lives - they realy needed you and your husband. As a shelter rescuer, I can only hope all my little foster babies (and mommies) are only so lucky.

You and Buck are in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen

Dear Donna:

I wanted to come by to let you know that you and your precious Buck have been in my thoughts and prayers. I love seeing his picture - he's very handsome and has a sweet face - thank you for posting it!! You were the first person to write a post to me about my precious girl, Ms. Lucy , and your very comforting words meant so much to me then, and still do now.

I'm very sorry to hear that Buck's tests weren't good. As Moon_beam said, it does sound as if he is doing better in spite of the numbers -- it really is a testament to the exceptional care he is receiving from you and your husband.

Bless you for opening your home to Daphne November Rain and (soon) Sarah (AKA The Countess Serelyn Pilar). Beautiful names.....

I'll continue to keep you and Buck in my prayers.

Much peace & love to you and yours,

Denise

Hi, Donna, just checking in with you to let you know you and Buck, and your new little girls, are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your travels yesterday were safe and uneventful, and that you are now back home. I hope Buck is doing well today, and that you will have a good day.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you to everyone for thinking of us and praying for Buck. He seems normal to me. It's very puzzling to know his numbers and see him like he is. Yes, he's slower than he used to be but so am I! I almost wish I didn't know what his numbers are because they were elevated before we went to the vet and I wasn't as concerned as I am now. He had a good time this morning playing in the sprinklers and I'm hoping he'll take a nap now that my husband has gone to work.
My husband said he thought that maybe he could see a difference in the strength of his back legs this morning meaning that the steroid may be helping. I don't know. I haven't seen it. I think it's too soon to see improvements. I wish I could make him young again, you know? He's such a good boy.
Has anyone here ever had experience with herbal medication or anything along that line? You know you can find anything you want to find on the internet so it's hard to know what to trust. But there are some interesting things I've read and I wonder..... Like all of you, I just need to know I've done all that I can for him.
And Moonbeam, thank you for checking on me after my trip yesterday. Thank the Lord, it was uneventful! Everyone was on their best behavior and we got through it. We also got home earlier than I thought so I was happy because all I could think about was Buck.
And about the two girls.....Daphne (who we call the Lil Toot) wants to get in that bedroom soooo bad! She runs over there every time we go over there. They've seen one another and have hissed and growled and yelled and slapped but we aren't going to let them come into contact again for awhile. Since Sera had to be shaved to the skin due to her matted condition (awful!), I don't want Daphne to bite her and hurt her. Sera looks like a gremlin. I'll try to post a picture if I can so you all can know what terrible condition she was in! It's really sad. She's still very upset and slaps us alot. I know that she is a very affectionate cat because I've been around her before so I know this is temporary while she adjusts to her world being turned upside down. And as for mommy, I'm having an increasingly hard time because I just want the peace & quiet & familiarity of my boys. I don't want all this change! I'm just whining but I miss them so much. Don't you just have days or spans of days where your lost babies weigh so heavily on your mind?
Thank you again for all your support. I'm going to try to post a picture of Buck from this morning but am having trouble with the sizing.

ok, I think I've got the sizing thing.

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and here's Lil Toot
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and Sera
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-Donna

Hi, Donna, oh h h h I am so o o o glad your trip yesterday was better than expected. I do so know how you were dreading it - -- been there done that with family, too. Poor little Sera. What a precious little girl she is. I am so o o glad she is finally with you and your husband. And Daphne, too. What beautiful little girls they are. And handsome Buck - - he looks very well in this picture. In fact, from the picture itself you would hardly know that he is having medical challenges. I know I said it before but this just makes me want to say it again: This is a true testimony to the loving care he has from you and your husband. He really looks quite happy in this picture!!

Donna, thank you so much for letting us know how things are going. Peace will reign once again in your household, I promise. So many changes so quickly for everyone is traumatizing, and tempers will flare, as evidenced with Daphne and Sera. Yes, I do know what you mean about there being times when our precious furkids who are no longer physically with us weigh heavy in our minds and hearts. Regardless of the length of time of the temporary physical separation you will always have Frasier and Niles with you, Donna - - they are only a heartbeat away for they are forever a part of you. And now they have two little sisters to watch over with you and your husband's loving care providing for them. I truly believe your boys maneuvered Daphne and Sera joining you for no one else on this earth will care for them and love them as they need to be. But I know how painful it is for you not to be able to hold your precious boys in your arms and feel them next to you. It is painful, both physically and emotionally.

About herbal medicines: I had Abbygayle on a herbal vitamin mixture which she absoulotely LOVED until the very last 3 weeks. When she started turning away from her "vitamin soup" I knew that something was not right. It was developed by a group of veterinarians in Canada who had done a lot of research on cancer in cats. This was an alternative to subjecting my girl to chemo treatments. I had done that with Eli and he taught me valuable lessons through that traumatic time. I do believe it helped for as long as it could with the cancer she had. The website is PetWellbeing.com. After Abbygayle died, I still had one unopened canister of her vitamins and it had been over 30 days since I purchased it. But I called the customer service folks, explained what the situation was, and they accepted me returning the unopened canister with a full refund. They are very good people to deal with, at least I found them to be. They have vitamins and things for dogs on their website, too, so I hope this helps you in some way. I do believe in holistic medicines and believe they can be a complement to "traditional" treatments. It's worth a try.

Donna, please know you, Buck, and your little girls are in my thoughts and prayers. I also pray that you will begin to feel peace in your heart and home once again. And please, please, keep us posted as to how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi all. Moonbeam, as always, you know just what to say. Thank you for the information. I'm contemplating the herbal route. I will have to talk to my vet. I know I need to get on it if it can help at all.
Buck is doing well today. He looks happy. He's whining at the backdoor right now for his daddy who is cutting the grass. He just wants to chase that golf ball! What concerns me today is that we started weaning him off the pred & today was his first dose since Saturday a.m. The part that bothers me is that he seems better today than yesterday so I wonder if he feels better because of the pred he had this a.m. We don't want that. Our goal, per the vet, is to have him remain stable and feeling good after he's off the pred and only on the winstol. I hate this delicate game!
But I'm glad he feels good today no matter what. I can't help but wonder and fear how this will all go. The best case would be for him to just go while chasing that golf ball. As awful as it would be, at least he would be in total enjoyment, you know? I hate this. I just hate this. I cannot believe that I'm in this place again for the third time so soon.
-Donna

Awww, Tanbuck, I'm so sorry. I'm glad and I'm sorry, and I know just how you feel, I think. You celebrate the good days and worry about the bad days, and watch your fur-kid like he or she is under a microscope. Is he/she better..worse...the same? Is this a good sign or a bad sign or no sign at all? I got through it with Ladywolf all day long...

Just try to enjoy the happy days, as I do. We've had one today--Ladywolf climbed my friend Janice's stairs today for the second time since I started the insulin--and two weeks ago, she couldn't even do that. Janice is one of my other primary dog-care-givers, so it was AWFUL when Lady couldn't get up her short four stairs, which meant for a few weeks that Janice couldn't watch her for me when I had to teach or something. Now Lady can go to Janice's again--which is a good thing, because I'll be taking care of Janice's dog for four days soon...

Buck is a real fighter, like Lady, determined to hang onto life. So you do everything you can to assist him, but also to assist yourself, okay?

Big hugs--Margi and Ladywolf

**I sent this PM on 5/23 @ 4:05pm, (answering post on 5/23 @ 11:16am), but I feel there might be information here that could be of help (now or in the future) to other members, so I will make this public.**

5/23/2010

Hi Donna:

You are right -- the internet has tons of information on animal health, human health, etc., and I feel like you do --- "Can this information be trusted"?? It's scary and it really sucks!

I don't know what state you live in, but you can check out some links on homeopathic/holistic veterinarians.

Here's "Shirley's Wellness Cafe" - http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ahealth.htm <-- a reputable site for info, etc....

You can also check out the "American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association" - http://www.ahvma.org/

You could then check to see if there are any homeopathic/holistic vets in your area, (which certainly doesn't mean that you have to switch vets at all).
You could have an office visit or a phone consultation yourself (and your husband), about Buck Often times, (preferably after the homeopathic vet has looked over Buck's chart), your vet and the homeopathic vet can have a phone consultation to see if there are any natural remedies that would be beneficial for him.

You can also look up an LS member's threads, (Furkidlet's mom), for information. In my opinion, she is extremely bright and has a wealth of knowledge on "natural" veterinary care that she has freely shared with all of us. You could pull up her threads (and posts that she's answered) and read through to see if anything might help.

The photos that you put in your most recent post are ALL adorable !! I LOVE the photo of Buck --the water mist flowing down on him, and the girls are extremely beautiful -- their coloring is wonderful.

I hope and pray that even the tiniest bit of the above info will be helpful to you.

In answer to your question,


My answer -->"YES". It has been just over a month, and I feel blank. I can't even describe how I'm feeling or if I feel anything. I know for sure that I miss her more than anything.
My heart truly goes out to you too, Donna. You suffered a double loss in quick succession, and I am very sorry for that.

Much love & many blessings to you and yours,

Denise

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Hi Mommy
Just want you to know that we are watching over Buck and that we love you

Love your angels Niles and Fraizer

Hi, Donna, just checking in to see how things are going for you and Buck today. I hope life is treating you kindly, along with your little girls. I hope you're making some head way in checking out homeopathic supplements to help Buck in this stage of his journey with you. I do believe they can be a very helpful complement to "traditional" veterinary care.

Donna, please know you and Buck, and your Daphne and Sera, are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hey everyone. Smokey/Lady/Max, thank you for the pictures. I really appreciate it. My babies were always angels, now they have their wings.
Buck isn't having a good day. He took his last pred today & it's been since Monday that he had a dose. He's still getting the other steroid each evening. As Dr. R said, our goal is to see that he seems the same off the pred & on the winstrol as he did on just the pred. And today isn't encouraging. I can see weight loss around his ribs today and my husband noticed it too. This morning he didn't eat his breakfast right away but did eventually eat it. And he was wanting my breakfast too which is a good thing. But his back end seems weaker today & the steroid should be helping that so I'm concerned. He also has a "concerned" look on his face. Do y'all know that look? It's not pain, it's just like he's worrying. Frasier had it too.
We'll have to give the vet an update tomorrow so I don't know what the next step will be. I had to go to a funeral this afternoon for a friend's mother. Maybe that's why I'm feeling down. Usually funerals help you put things in perspective but when I know how my situation will end, it doesn't help to have perspective.
I'm still hoping he'll make it to 12 years old which is in November but honestly, I'm not sure he will. Summertime always took a toll on him even when he was younger so I know it will be hard this year. And I don't care if he makes it to 12 if it means he has to get there struggling every day. I'm rambling and putting the cart before the horse. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get my thoughts out.
-Donna

Hi Donna--

I'm so sorry to hear that Buck isn't having a good day. It's so, so hard watching our beloveds decline like this, isn't it? Yes, I know that "concerned" look that they get on their faces--seems like Ladywolf had it for two months before I found out about her diabetes and started giving her insulin injections.

You've got to go on doing what's best for Buck, which you obviously HAVE been doing for a long time now. I'm so sorry that he's taking a downturn, but the fact that he ate his breakfast and wanted your's IS a good sign. Sorry that you have a sad day ahead of you today, with the funeral and all. Maybe it's just a temporary set-back for Buck?

Sending lots of blessings your way--

Margi and Ladywolf

Hi, Donna, your precious Buck is such a wonderful trooper. I agree with Margi that his wanting your breakfast in addition to his own is a pretty good indication of how he's feeling. Pred has a tendency to boost the appetite, so withdrawing from it will cause some appetite fluctuations. I, too, know that "worried" look, particularly with Oslo. Sometimes it just takes the body awhile to make the transition from one medication to another. I hope this is the case with Buck and that you will begin to see an improvement.

Donna, thank you for letting us know how things are going, and please try to find some peace in your heart that you are doing everything you can for your precious Buck. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Donna, and will look forward to sharing your news about what the vet tells you tomorrow. Just remember, Donna, we are walking this journey right beside you every step of the way.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Oh Donna I'm so sorry to hear about Buck, he's such a handsome boy. I really hope he has a better day tomorrow. Huge hugs for you both ((((hugs)))))

Hello everyone. I'm so glad the forum is back up and running. I hope everyone is doing ok. An update on Buck...He did start to feel better Thursday afternoon and the vet called to check on him Friday morning. When I told him about Thursday, he suggested we bring him in for another steroid injection. Buck was feeling pretty good yesterday morning before the injection. But today he is not well at all.
The area where the tech gave the injection (really wish it had been the Dr.) is swollen and he's barely able to walk on that leg. And since he is so weakened in his back end, he certainly doesn't need any complications there. He's been stumbling around quite a bit. He also wants to be near me. He doesn't want me to be in another room and that's unusual. I've been rubbing him pretty much all day. I called the hospital knowing Buck's vet wasn't there today & they said it is probably just muscle trauma since the injection had to be in the muscle and to give it a couple of days. And now, of course, they're closed for 2 1/2 days.
We had asked the vet yesterday about returning to his pain meds & he really didn't want us to do that unless we absolutely had to. The pain meds are hard on his kidneys. So, this morning when I saw how he was, I felt I had to. After he so dutifully ate it, I had to go to the other room to burst into tears. I felt like I was giving him a death pill! The reality of it all is starting to set in for me. I feel we are going to lose him this time. I'm not having a good day. I just can't seem to get anything done and I'm disappointed because I've been having too many of these days lately. I tell myself to ease up because I haven't fully dealt with everything that's happened over the last year & 1/2. I'm sorry, I'm just venting. It's especially hard because for over a year, every holiday weekend when I've had extra time off has meant that one of my pets has taken a downturn. And I'm here alone to deal with it. Normally my husband would be here on a Saturday but he had to work today.
Has anyone else had this type of experience with a steroid injection?
Thanks.
-Donna