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
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
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
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
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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!
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!
Monday, February 3, 2014
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....
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....
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