Tom Update

Tom made it through surgery just fine.  Well, minus 12 teeth.  I was actually expecting him to lose more, but am thankful he didn't.  My vet did the e-mail consult with OSU and received great info on anesthesia and pain meds.  Tom also received a couple of xanax before we left as well as entered the vet's office by a different door.  We tried so many things to cut down on his anxiety level and I think the combo worked.  His temp was the highest right after we arrived and never got any higher.  He was under anesthesia for 3 1/2 hours.  Poor guy.

They wanted me to come get him around 3:00 p.m.  This is earlier than they usually release dogs from dentals, but again, didn't want him staying there stressing again.  So they carry him out to the car.  I am on the way home in a panic thinking who is going to help me get him in the house.  They told me he could walk, but was still shaky and weak.  After trying everyone I knew, I had to ask my husband to come home from work.  So he is passed out in the back of the van and as soon as he hears the tires hit the gravel of the driveway, he is up and ready to get out!  I couldn't believe it.  He walked around the yard, did a big pee and came up the 3 steps to the house.  Once inside, he put on the brakes.  Not sure why.  I finally coaxed him to his dog bed and he crashed there for over 4 hours. 

My biggest problem was getting the first dose of pain meds on board.  I mean, how do you pill a dog who can't eat any foods yet and just lost 12 teeth?  Well the first attempt was a mess.  However, I put a plea out on facebook and got a bunch of good ideas.  Here is what I came up with.  Take a slice of Oscar Mayer thin sliced ham, smear a bit of peanut butter to hold the pill on.  Then wrap the ham around the pill.  He took it!  Although he figures things out pretty quicky, I hope he doesn't catch on to this because we have a bunch of pills to take. 

This morning I made him a canned dog food smoothie with his regular meds in it.  Yuck.  This picture is Tom's first roach since he's been home.  All in all, I think things are going well.  He is very swollen in his face, still a pink tinge to the water after he drinks and sometimes a little pink from his nose.  But I think we are making improvements.  The vet said the degree of disease in his mouth was pretty substantial.  I hate that.  I have beat myself up since she told me this.  I am so glad we were able to figure out a good anesthesia and drug protocol for him so we can get these teeth under control.  I hope he feels better soon.  Plus, I need some sleep!

Heck, I'm going to skip a title for this post.  I typed in about 10 things and can't come up with one.  I went back to try to find the post about Tom's surgery last May.  Of course, Blogger can't leave anything alone, and I can't find it.

Anyway, last May we attempted a dental for Tom.  He had some complications and his temp spiked to 106.  They got the bad teeth out, but really couldn't finish the dental or remove the growths that needed taking off.  His teeth have gotten horrible in the mean time.  He now has a root exposed where the gum has receeded so badly.

We had pre-op bloodwork and the kidneys are looking pretty good.  Some of you may not know that Tom also had kidney disease.  So I am asking for everyone I know to be praying or thinking of Tom on Tuesday morning. 

We are inclined to think his temp spike the last time was related to stress.  He doesn't do well on car rides or trips to the vet.  He is always excited to go, but just is a nervous wreck.  When they took him in the back to draw blood and do his nails, the vet decided to try something.  She took his temp before they started and it was 103.  By the time they had drawn the blood and done his nails, it was already 104.  So, we are giving him a sedative at home and they will be ready and waiting for him when we get there. 

I am a nervous wreck. So please, send us some positive thoughts, prayers, whatever you got!

A Touching Moment

My sister and I had the most fabulous time on our little adventure. GPA-EC put on a wonderful event this year. The theme was Mardi Greys. Everywhere you looked around the hotel there was something to do with Mardi Gras. I let my sister do all the picture taking, so I am kind of slow to get things posted.

I thought I would share with you what I thought was the most touching part of the weekend. On Sunday morning, there was a blessing of the hounds. After that, they had a memorial bell ceremony. Upon registration, you could purchase a coin and they list the dog's name that you wanted to honor. Very touching for sure. Then when all the names were read, the rang the bell 32 times. Once for each dog that perished in the kennel at Ebro. Let me tell you, there wasn't a dry eye on the beach.

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Florida or Bust!

If you miss me over the next few days, I heading south! Haven't been to this event in 3 years and absolutely cannot wait to get out of dodge!


Click HERE if you want to see what you are missing out on! I am most excited about hearing Dr. Couto speak. Well, and the beach of course! I'm sure I will have something to say when I get home.

Saturday Visit

Today was a good day. I got to go visit with my Buddy Boy, now known as Peyton. Buddy got adopted last October and now lives in Louisville. My friend, who happens to be friends with Buddy's new momma, was heading that way to meet with a pet communicator. So I hitched a ride!

I wasn't sure what to expect. I mean, I hadn't seen my Buddy Boy since October. I had my plan. Walk in, don't speak and see if he notices me. Well, he did!!! He missed me!!! Buddy just about knocked me over he was so excited. We got to bond. He laid beside me on the floor and I got to smother him with love and attention. He was so cute though. He kept going over to his new momma like he was saying "I didn't forget you, you are still my momma". Man I miss that dog.

It is a rare opportunity that you get to see a previous foster in their new home. I was very lucky. Lucky to be a part of his life. Lucky to see that he did remember me. Lucky to see how much he is loved in his new home. Today was probably one of the most rewarding days in my "foster mom" history.

Puppy Love!

Geoffrey is loving to pet the hounds these days. He just pats them and rubs his hand through their hair. Sadie is such a good sport and really loves the baby. As soon as she sees my daughter's car pull in the drive way, she is in the window "talking" to them.

I think she like him becaus she can lick his feet, hands and face!

I can't tell here if she is laughing or yawning! I think she is probably yawning because Geoffrey is taking up her space to spread out on the couch.

Front Yard Fence!

We have lived here for 16 years. I have been wanting to fence in the front yard from day one! From the front you can't tell that the house has a walk out basement. To get to the back yard, there are 13 steps involved. You either go down them inside or outside on the deck. With aging dogs, stairs are starting to make me very nervous. Tom has stumbled several times recently. Hannah, the new foster is one of two dogs that I haven't been able to train on the stairs.

Looking to the left here, the front yard will have a gate to get into the back yard. This will make it possible to bring the dogs in down stairs by just going down the hill. Not to mention just being able to open the front door and let them out to potty! Of course, the next 5 day forecast is freakin' rain!