Me and Audrey

Right after the first of the year, one of my photo friends took some photos of Audrey and I.

Here's one:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/38141080@N00/16444235251/

and, for a good laugh .... I made a "kissing booth" on Valentine's Day -- here's Audrey and one of our cats ---


https://www.flickr.com/photos/38141080@N00/16497140896/lightbox/

These are on my Flickr account --- copy and paste into your browser ---  I've forgotten how to add a link you can click on!  Oh well!!

Audrey is Still Hanging in There!

We are still enjoying our sweet Audrey.  I know the days are dwindling, but we are savoring each one. She is such a sweet, loving dog!

Still LOVES to eat --- steamed chicken livers are a real fav.

Still LOVES to go for walks, just not as far.

Audrey's Cancer Has Returned

Audrey's cancer has returned.  We are living on borrowed time.  

At Thanksgiving, 2014, I discovered a small lump in her neck. We had already decided that we would not go through the treatment process again.  By the time her Vet appointment on Dec. 30 the lump had grown significantly.  The Vet confirmed that the cancer was back and said she had two to eight weeks.  That was 13 weeks ago.  

Audrey is still with me.  She is slowing down but we do not feel that she is in any pain.  She loves to eat and loves to go in the truck.  Loves her walks but does not want to go very far.

I have been basically at home for this 13 week period.  I stay right here with her and my husband has been doing most all of the shopping and errand running.  I am trying to give her a very stress free environment and enjoying every single minute with her.

Audrey is such a sweet and loving dog.  Difficult time as I am sure you can imagine.  This one hurts!

Audrey Still in Remission....

.... In June, 2014, Audrey finished her last treatment and as of today, is still in remission.  I will happily take every day given!  She is doing well.  I have an appointment in October to again check her progress.  Her August appointment was good.

... I failed at keeping up my blog.

.... The Real Estate business had a major pick-up in March that kept me very involved --- mostly finding a condo for my daughter and then helping to move her in --- then paint, repair, paint, repair, --- Audrey helped paint .... Oh my did she ever!!!

Audrey has always gone crazed when a water hose turns on .... I was painting my daughter's old place; that was the day the complex decided to POWER WASH the building --- I had an open bucket of paint plus a smaller container of paint on the floor.  SPLASH came the water on the windows -- Audrey sprang into action; I somehow managed to grab the mostly full paint bucket and get it out of her path, but the smaller container took a direct hit with her front feet!!

Paint went everywhere -- all over Audrey, all over the carpet, all over my shoes .... Then dog footprints made a complete circle through the living room and into the kitchen.  I finally caught Audrey right in front of the kitchen sink and started the process of washing her feet before she made more tracks across the carpet.

Then I had to clean up the carpet and the kitchen flooring and FINISH painting the walls .... daughter HAD to be out that evening...... I was one tired Mama by the end of the day!!  By the way, the power washing dude saw it all happen --- thankfully, he moved to the unit next door for a while!!

Audrey gets to go on a 10 day camping trip --- soon --- I will try to pick up with updates afterward.  Right now she is looking at me and whinning ---- "let's go to bed Mom" .... Good Night all.

DID AUDREY KILL THE POSSUM?

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Lest I forget, she is a DOG, a COONhound, a hunting dog!!  Last night as I was taking Audrey out before going to bed we had a surprise visitor!

The bird feeder is near the kitchen door and an innocent little Possum was dining on the spilled seeds.  Audrey was as usual, on her leash.  As soon as I opened the kitchen door she barked, bolted out the door and had a hold on the Possum before I even knew it was there or what it was!!  

I screamed and called Audrey's name.  By this time, Audrey already had a mouth full of possum and had given the guy a good shake.  He was lying in a very awkward position and completely still.  Ugh....  I managed to tightening Audrey's leash and get her away.  We walked further out into the yard for a few minutes - trying to get calm!  After about five minutes we walked back in the house and the poor creature is still in that strange position.

I tell my husband, "Audrey killed a possum; either that or, it is "playing possum".  To that my husband replied, "Well, I'm proud of her!"  Ugh...again!! 

I peek out the kitchen door and Mr. Possum is still there, the same spot, no change in position.  Oh my gosh, did she really kill the poor thing?

Audrey is very interested in the kitchen door in the hopes that I will take her out again.....NOT!!!

About 15 minutes pass.....inside the house Audrey is now calm....I open the kitchen door.............NO POSSUM!!!

So, the saying, "he was just playing Possum" was proven at my house!!!

Not A Good Week

March 18, 2014

Audrey has had a bad week.  She has felt terrible.  She had a treatment of Vincristine on Wednesday, March 5.  This Thursday, the 13th she started vomiting and had diarrhea. 

It all came on rather quickly.  She had a loose stool, but that has been common.  I had gone across town to show property and Audrey was at home with my husband.  He called and told me he had taken her out several times in a very short period.  He had an appointment and I could not get back home for at least two hours.

As expected when I got home, there was a mess to clean up.  It seemed like she hung her head in shame when I got home.  I felt so bad for her.  I hugged her and told her it was ok.

Saturday evening I was able to get her to take Pepto and again Sunday morning.  

Sunday and Monday she still has not felt well, but no diarrhea and only one episode of throwing up and it was very little.

Her anus and vagina must be burning - she is licking a lot and doing an unusual sit position.  I put Vaseline on her hoping to help any pain on the exterior and I got a cold, wet paper towel and held it on her ... it seemed to work a little bi† for her.  Today I have not noticed that she is so unsettled.

It is very difficult to watch her go through this.

She has an appointment on Thursday.

Fun In The Sun - A Sarasota Visit

Audrey is looking for a Manatee!  We missed them this visit--although

others saw them along with a dolphin!!

 Our Shadows in the Water -

 

 

 At Desoto Park with our son!

H a P p Y  26th B i R t H d A y !!

 

 

 Audrey tries out the ocean!

 

 

 ...and Audrey with a Palm

 

 

 

A piece of driftwood that I like - what does it look like to you?

 

Audrey had a fun visit to Horseshoe Cove RV Resort - our very first RV experience!  She has never been a good rider and was NOT a good rider this time.  I drove the whole way, she panted the entire way and mostly sat in my husband's lap!  He was very patient.  She was great while we were there. Lots of fun walks, a trip to the doggie park, a trip to the ocean and a few yummy cookouts.  My husband stayed for a business function and Audrey and I drove back - she was better on the way back; still lots of panting, but better.



Early Morning Tuesday For Adriamycin

February 18, 2014

5:00 a.m. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG....

There goes that darn alarm....so not a morning person.

Up, showered, dressed, primped, take Audrey out, feed the animals, drink my coffee, grab my purse and tote bag and off by 6:00 a.m.  70 wonderful minutes of driving in morning traffic and we arrive at the Vet....I am supposed to be there by 8 a.m....if I leave my house any later than 6:10 a.m., I'm SUNK - it will be more like 9 a.m. before I get there - as it was traffic was a lot heavier today than usual as this time - surely Tuesday can't be that different from Thursday.  My County's schools are closed this week for winter break, but no evidence of that by traffic standards.

Sweet Audrey went right in without any fear... I have a pic of her sitting on the bench waiting for the Tech to come get her.

You can tell a little bit that her whiskers are a little stubby.  I've noticed that she seems to be losing them.  If you click on the pic, you can also see the evidence of her runny eyes.

Another thing that happens during this treatment...particularly when she has been sleeping and relaxed, a bit of BM will ooze from her anus.  If you are choosing this type of treatment for your pet; protect your furniture, beds, etc. It isn't much, and it isn't very often, but particularly with the Vincristine, even a little is very stinky.  Audrey hates it when it happens, she gets into a bit of a panic and she wants to clean it up and hurry and go outside.  I NEVER scold her; I just quietly take care of it and get her outside to see if she needs to potty.

Snow and ice last Wednesday and Thursday....in the 70's today.

We are now on an every other week schedule.  So, we don't go back for two weeks. 

In this two week period Audrey is going to get a new experience, in fact, so will my husband and I.  At the end of October I bought a used 24' C Class RV; we are loading up for our first little trip - off to see our son in Sarasota.  Of course Audrey gets to go.  I did think ahead and two weeks ago I ask the Vet for a Vet in the area in case we have an emergency.  I was given a name today so I am prepared.

Expect palm trees in the next post!

Cost of Today's Vet Visit.................$287.25

All Snowed In

February 13, 2014

 

Appointment Day for Audrey - Postponed

 

 

                                         Look What Happened:

 

Enough ice and snow to keep us at home, plus, cancel school for the second day in a row and create havoc. I wanted to reschedule on Friday, but The Vet wanted reschedules to be on Tuesday, the 18th.  All the documentation they send out strongly stresses to stay within one day of your regularly scheduled day of treatment.

 

Mixed feelings....not quite sure why they waited all the way until Tuesday, but at the same time, Audrey has not really felt well since the last treatment.  She threw up twice one day and once the next.  It wasn't until Sunday that I felt she had energy and a little vim and vigor.

 

                                           

Early morning before the wind started blowing and before the sun came out.

The snow was very wet and heavy and stuck to all the branches.

 

So, the snow was mostly gone on Friday and in fact, by Thursday evening we could easily get out ... and did so ... a dash for Mexican . . . and then on Friday to hit the grocery store...everybody and their brother and first, second and third cousins had the same idea.  

 

 

The ORIGINAL Audrey and Clarence

Audrey, my Grandmother, in the early 1950's - and Clarence, my unusual, unique and very ORIGINAL, Grandpa! 

One of the many Redbones that my Grandparents had....I don't know which one this is, but I do know from stories my Mom told me over the years that about this time, they had a Redbone named, "Pot Licker"....!!

So, my dear sweet Audrey, is named after my Grandmother....what a fabulous Grandmother she was....I wish everyone, including my kids, could have had a Grandmother like her....the very best!  She died in 2006.

Clarence, the Bloodhound, my cousin's dog, pictured in an earlier post, was named after our Grandpa.  Grandpa loved animals; all kinds.  He once had a pair of mules named "Thunder" and "Lightning".... and a pair of twin calves named "Dolly" and "Loretta"... the mama cow was named "Frosty". 

I never saw my Grandpa in anything but overalls....EVER...my mother said she once saw him in a pair of corduroy pants.  Oddly quirky in a lot of ways...but sweet and fun.  He loved to tease the kids and I can remember him letting me comb, and comb his hair, including putting in curlers  - my Aunts have the same memories of him.  He was a good man.  He said something when I was eleven that I've never forgotten and it made an impression on me even then....

One of my Aunt's almost died after giving birth.  I was in the hospital waiting room with my Grandpa...he said, "I thought when the kids were grown, all my worries would be over...."

That certainly rings very true...

"Where the Red Fern Grows"

February 11, 2014

When we are out with Audrey, people always ask, "What kind of dog is she?".

"Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls has been required reading in the South for  Y E A R S.

All I have to say is, "Have you read "Where the Red Fern Grows?"  The light bulb turns on and a big smile lights up their face...

That's the kind of dog Audrey is...just like Little Ann and Dan from the beautifully written, but sad book.

There is a movie based on the book as well.

AUDREY IS A REDBONE COONHOUND.

Not a better breed of dog around......according to ME!!

Here's a link that for the most part, is very accurate on the attributes of a Redbone Coonhound:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redbone_Coonhound

World's Most Patient Cat - Sid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Nun16-Hk4


If you click on the link above, you will go to a You Tube Video of Audrey when she was a puppy - terrorizing Sid, my daughter's cat!

I hope it makes you laugh!! 





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Nun16-Hk4

Another Dose of Vincristine & A Surprising Fact...

This is a photo of a Vinca plant from my yard last May.  I plant them every year.

Surprisingly, the chemotherapy drug, Vincristine, that Audrey received on Thursday, is derived from this plant!  I will never look at this plant in the same way ever again.  According to what I read, 86 alkaloids are extracted from plants in the Vinca genus group.  This drug is used to treat some leukemias, lymphomas, and childhood cancers as well as several other types of cancerous and non-cancerous conditions.

 

Thursday, February 6, 2014

 

Another trip to the Vet.  Audrey willingly went inside but as soon as she sat beside me, she began to tremble a bit.  This is the first time that she has done so.  It was very slight and she still went with the technician without notable fear.

 

She was given Vincristine IV in her right front leg. 

 

While I was in the waiting room, the big beautiful Ridgeback from last week came in again; her "Mom" was wearing a military uniform. 

 

My daughter was talking with one of her neighbors about his dog and it turns out that the dog is also a patient at the same Vet.  The dog does not have cancer, but some other malady.  His "day" is not Thursday so I probably will not meet up with him; the Vet tries to keep patients on a constant schedule.  The neighbors dog loves his walks and one of his favorite stops is the window in my daughter's apartment where her cats like to hangout!  The dog likes to look and bark a little and the cats are curious too...except BIG Sid...he runs and hides.  We laughingly say it is because he was terrorized by Audrey when she was a puppy.  In a future post I'll include a funny video of Sid and Audrey when Audrey was only a few months old.

 

It has been a good week for Audrey. Not much tiredness from the chemo; just runny eyes and the horrible smelling gas...phew.

 

We are having some concrete work done at our house.  We put Audrey's footprints in it along with the date...concrete had already set-up pretty well so I don't think it will be especially good impression.  When it dries, I'll post a pic.

 

Audrey is due for Adriamycin this coming Thursday and then we will start on an every other week schedule.

 

We have ANOTHER bad weather system coming in this evening - so unusual for us.  Thursday's appointment is the one where I need to have her there by 8:00 a.m.; I am sure hoping the weather clears so I can make the appointment without any issues.

 

Cost of Today's Visit................... $182.95

So God Made A Dog

.....and I'm glad he did...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVmh-wFA1uE

Sleeps With Dogs .....

..... yes, yes I do.....

A Scare

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Last Thursday after Audrey's treatment all seemed well.  At about 11:00 p.m. she threw up three times. I immediately called the Vet's Emergency Room to get advice.

They told me that the chemo would have already passed into her bloodstream.  They advised me to remove food and water and let her stomach "rest" and to observe her for any respiratory distress.

I removed the food, however, I did not feel good about removing water.  I allowed her to drink what she wanted then removed the water for a couple of hours and then put it back for her to choose if she wanted any.

After she had her water, she was ready for bed and didn't get back up until morning.  It was a long night for me - I went to bed with my contacts in so I could immediately see her if something was needed.  I also kept a light on and propped myself up in the bed so I could see her well.  She slept peacefully through the night and all was well the next day.

Reading about respiratory distress was disturbing; I thought it was possible to lose her that night.  I am 30+ miles from the ER....whew....

I have always said, to anyone that would listen, I think there is so much more to animals than most people realize.  When Audrey became sick to her stomach, she didn't hide or go to some other part of the house.  She came right over to me.  Dogs get a queer little smile on their face when they are about to throw up.  Panic was setting in with her; I could just tell.  I patted her and told her it was ok and to go ahead.  I simply cleaned it up and did all I could do to console her.  She got up on the couch and I could see she was drooling a bit.  I went over to get a tissue to wipe her mouth; my back was turned maybe 20 seconds.  In that time she threw up right on my electric, keep me warm throw!!  Of course I did NOT realize this until I came back and SAT IN IT!!  For once, I was glad it is winter and I had on LONG PANTS!

My Vet has not provided any information about the proper protocol in cleaning up vomit or feces when your animal is being treated with chemotherapy.  Here is something I read on-line:

"Because chemotherapy drugs are excreted in feces and urine, we advise clients to wear gloves when cleaning up after their pets for up to 48 h after drug administration and wash the area with diluted bleach. Presently there are no written guidelines that exist for the disposal of pet waste."

Based on that statement, GLOVES should be used!  As always, if the owner is pregnant, special precautions should be taken!!  

If this is a road you choose to travel with your pet, please research the proper way to handle feces,etc.  Even if your dog typically goes outside for potty breaks, there is always the possibility that due to the drugs, he or she may have an accident in the house that you will need to clean up.

Another Vet visit tomorrow.

On a side note....today is my son's birthday!!!  Not a "fur" son....a real human boy! lol  Happy 26th birthday son, I love you very much and my oh my has the time flown by!

SOCHI KILLING STRAY DOGS PRIOR TO OLYMPICS

I am desperately trying to save the life of my beloved dog.....

I am OUTRAGED at Russia, The Olympic Committee, and whoever else has a part in this.

My own personal protest.....I will not watch one second of the Olympics, nor will I purchase any product that is associated with the Olympics.

I could rant for pages....you get the idea....

Another Chemo Visit

January 30, 2014

We had an 11:30 a.m. Vet visit this morning.  I wasn't sure we were going to make it...we live in the SOUTH....we don't do snow....we certainly don't do ice and if you have seen any of the national news this week....well, suffice to say, it was NOT PRETTY.

Anyway...we made it...my husband drove Audrey and I in his four-wheel drive truck.  The sun was out and some melting was beginning and road crews have had time to get to the major roadways.  Slow-going on the minor roads, but once we got on the bigger roads, not much to worry about.  

I really did not want to miss the Vet visit - I want to stay on the prescribed schedule and not waiver.

Today's visit was the one in the set of visits that is the quickest ... Audrey was given Cytoxan and Lasix orally.  Cytoxan is eliminated in the urine and can be irritating to the bladder lining.  We need to watch for blood in the urine, straining to urinate, frequent posturing (in the position to urinate, but NOT), excessive genital licking, decreased appetite, lethargy and constipation.

So far, in all these treatments, we have not observed many side effects. One of the things that has been happening to her involves her eyes. Her eyes are very runny.  It makes me think of my Mom. She had Chemo treatments in 1981 and she complained about her eyes and her vision was affected.  I can still see her batting her eyes trying to get her eyes to focus.  LOTS of years ago, she was only 46 - Leukemia - a battle lost.  I HATE CANCER.  

Audrey took her last Prednisone tablet yesterday!! Thank goodness.  This is the med that drastically increased her thirst and need to urinate.  

She still gets me up at night for a potty visit - usually once or twice.  It appears to me that the Vincristine also increases her thirst.  It also gives her "lethal to the human nose" gas!!  Oh MY! 

The technician that brought Audrey back to us after her treatment told us that she is always a really good girl.  She said she just lets them draw her blood, take her temp., etc.  She even willingly goes inside the cage...that part surprised me...she has hated to be crated from day one; LONG ago I gave up on that!  It makes things easier when you feel like the staff likes your dog.

In the Vet office today I saw the largest Ridgeback that I've ever seen; she looked like a mini-horse.  Boy, was she ever a beauty and very loving.  Only three years old.  I did not ask why she was there, but it can't be good; this practice is all specialists and some very sick babes come through the doors. 

Sitting right beside me today was a 12 year old Beagle and he looked everyday of his 12 years. Very thin and gray and the poor baby was shaking constantly.  The owner was too busy texting to pay any attention to the dog.  The dog sat right beside me and wanted to be touched, which I very willingly complied.  I just patted and rubbed the little thing and talked to him and told him what a pretty boy he was and that he was ok.  When the Tech came, she looked right at me and said, "Is this Cash?" ---- The owner was holding the leash and she finally put the phone down and responded.  Evidently, they were there to be admitted to the Emergency Room portion of the practice.  

Cost of today's visit:     $207.82 

Audrey's Mom and Audrey's Puppy Pictures

Saturday, January 25, 2014

 

After Thursday's chemo, Audrey pretty much has no energy today.  It seems the second and third days after chemo are the ones that she is noticeably more tired.  So far, NOTHING has affected her appetite. 

 

Hunted up some puppy pictures to post.

Audrey's Mom
I thanked her for letting me take
one of her babies.

Unsure - In Hotel Room

Fast Asleep

 

This is how she rode most all
the way home.  I had a nice bed fixed
for her, but she would not have it...
so the trend began.

I had to leave hotel room to get something
out of the car; I put her in the tub
in case she pottied in the room!
She didn't think it was a good idea.


Found some funny shots that I will
post later.

Audrey is in REMISSION!!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Vet did an ultrasound today and determined that Audrey is in REMISSION!

Such great news!

She will continue with her chemo as prescribed - ending the first part of June.  

While this is wonderful news and we are so happy....it is NOT A CURE.  This will simply buy us time and we will love and appreciate each day we are given.

According to all I've read and the Vet stated on our very first visit - the typical remission time is one year before a relapse.

Audrey is such a good dog.  Extremely loving.  My husband expressed it well the other day.  He said that our previous dog was a great dog too and she loved us, but Audrey physically loves us back.  She loves for you to hug her and she leans into you and seeks you out for that kind of physical touch.  When she's in the car with me, she looks over at me and leans into my touch and she has this special look when she really wants me to reach over and pat her.  She especially does this on the way home from the Vet.  I can't help but interpret it as her wanting reassurance that all is ok.  She really responds when you tell her she is a good girl.

When she was about a year old we were driving by a small airport and I had the sunroof open; a low flying airplane flew right over our car!! Oh my gosh, she went into panic mode and jumped into my lap while I was driving!  Laughing, driving and trying to get her calm and back on her seat...we made it!

She gets up in my lap at the Vet too!  In the waiting room they have these wooden couches, she gets up beside me most of the time, but then climbs in my lap.  She looks like one of those FaceBook jokes where this giant dog is in a woman's lap and the caption says something like..."She likes it, she says I'm her baby!"

Good news today....GREAT news today. 

I was so excited to post our good news that I forgot to talk about the actual doctor visit.

In addition to the Ultra Sound today, they administered Vincristine via IV in Audrey's right front leg.  We are to monitor for swelling, redness, lack of use, excessive licking and/or limping. Also watch for decreased appetite, lethargy, etc.

Next visit in one week.

Cost of today's visit:  $340.75