I had every intention of wishing everyone a Happy New Year and recouting our adventureous move to Florida, as you can see from the above December date. However, we now find that course has been altered by our beautiful, senior poodle, Raven.
This photo was taken in July on our front porch while Raven and Cooper cooled off escaping the hot Florida sun. He looks great, doesn't he? To our dismay, that was then. Now...
We wanted to share this latest adventure with all his animal and human friends. It's not an "oh happy days" story, yet one we are obligated to share.
Raven has had difficulty with his hind end for almost a year, to the point that it was getting more difficult to jump up on furniture and our bed, which he LOVES to do. This October we decided to take him for some physical therapy. He has never been diagnosed with joint problems, but becasue of his age he was thought to have a little arthritis. An occassional rimadyl usually calmed his discomfort. We found a vet that we love who does PT, using a cold laser, massage and water therapy. Raven began his treatments in early November and for a few weeks really enjoyed his sessions and seemed better. By mid December it was evident that he wasn't improving and actually getting worse. We discontinued the therapy, hoping to return at a later date. December 15th. x-rays were taken of his back and it was determined his issues lay in the thoracic area of his spine and not the lumbar area. We then began a regiment of prednesone and tramadol for pain. He continued downward and we were referred to a neurologist for further evaluation. Raven was seen on Friday, the 30th, for a consult, blood work and a urinalysis. It was recommended we wean Raven off his present meds to get a clearer view of where his pain was located. On Sunday Raven started urinating blood and was put on an antibiotic and showed some improvement. However, later that day he began pacing and panting in real discomfort. We gave him pain medication, and I administered acupuncture. Within three hours he began to calm down. He returned on Monday to the neurologist for further evaluation. His blood work showed an increase in red and white blood cells and the urinalisis was also showing signs of problems. Many recommendations were made. We decided to do an abdominal ultrasound. Within the hour Raven had been scanned and a bladder mass was indentified. We abandoned all further neurological tests and were given an appointment with an oncologist for the next morning. Dawn broke and we awoke to the horrible sight of a dog that had lost his spirit. Laying with head down and hard breathing plus no strength to rise up, Raven seemed not of this world. Keep in mind, this all through the eyes of two people that had been crying all night, with their spirits broken. His dad leashed him up, nearly carrying him outside, and to his surprise, Raven woke up and began to yank his dad around the yard and bark at the little "yapper" across the street. He also barked at me to receive a treat from his cookie jar. In our dpression we were too quick to resign ourselves to the inevitable. Many lessons are to be learned by this , yet no time, off to the oncologist. Raven, as we've known him, arrived to entertain, love and lick all the staff, as he relished in the attention from all. What a guy! The oncologist was amazing in her demeanor and explanation of options. We have chosen the least invasive and most comfortable course to follow, based, primarily, on his age and our own beliefs.
We received many details to ponder along with many different possible expectations. John and I are comfortable in our decisions and appreciate what we've learned about the animal friends, that the the Good Lord has loaned us for a "breif time". The "purest" form of Love is exemplified by these creatures that live their lives to ask one question of us. " Did I do good, did I. Huh Huh; did I???"
We are blessed with such a "Dream Team": our family vet, Dr. Ann Silverness; our neurologist, Dr. Jeff Clarke, and our oncologist, Dr. Tracy LaDue.
And, of course, We thank God, for rewarding us all with such a joyous responsibility.
We will report regularly on this blog to keep all his friends updated on his journey. Please keep us all in your prayers, as you are in ours.
