My Sweet George is Gone

This is a very sad post...my sweet George dog is gone.  If you are uncomfortable with this subject, please stop reading now.

He had not been well for about five weeks.  I took him to the vet twice before I left to visit my son, but there was nothing that she could pin down.  They did the panel tests for senior dogs, valley fever, diabetes, and on and on and on.  He was put on several medications and an antibiotic.  Nothing seemed to help, though he would rally for a few days.  I was ready to cancel my trip to Iowa, but my husband and stepson assured me that they would take care of him.

One day into my trip, my husband was taking George to the emergency vet...he was blind.  After an overnight stay, George came home.  They did more tests and only thing that they noticed was a growth on his spleen.  Maybe it was cancer.  Nothing really changed, but he was a little slower and would only eat about a half cup of chicken a day.

I cut my trip short by a few days and started home.  Somewhere in Utah, my husband called and said that George was not eating and he was taking him back to the vet.  I did 850 miles that day, trying to make it home in two and half days.

As soon as I got home, I could see that George was much, much worse than before.  At this point, he was covered with small bumps.  The cancer had spread throughout his body.  I spent the day on the floor, being as close as I could.  We went outside and sat in the sun.  We laid on the floor some more. It was time to make the hard decision and give George the dignity that he deserved.  I called the vet and asked if they could come to my home.  In general they do not make house calls, but George was still over 80 pounds and he growled every time he was lifted into the car.  Also, Dr. Sue had been George's doctor since he was eight weeks old.  She came to the house.  I will be forever grateful for that.  We laid on the lawn, feeling the wind on our faces.  He had been by my side for eight years.  I would stay with him until the end.

I have cried for three days.  I know that the pain will ease, but right now, I'm so very, very sad.

Be kind to one another.

I Could Go On and On and On....

Happy Sunday morning from the rancho!

First, let me say that I am on vacation, so this is just residual whining.  LOL  I only had a four day work week, but oh my goodness, trying to get stuff done was almost impossible.  It seemed like everyone needed a piece of my attention until there was none left.  I would come home and crash, just too tired to do anything.

The week started great.  Both hubby and I were off for Memorial Day, and I had a caretaker scheduled for Dad, so we went out to lunch on the coast.  We made a beeline to our favorite restaurant for fish and chips.  So yummy and the view is gorgeous.

Things started to go downhill after that...

My sweet George dog is not feeling well.  I noticed a few weeks ago that he was loosing weight.  Not a lot, but some.  Since he was over 90 pounds, it didn't show as much as it would on a small dog.  By last Friday, I was concerned.  He was slowing down, wasn't interested in anything, drinking too much water and spending a lot of time outside.  My first thought was diabetes. Took him to the vet, first thing they did was a "senior" blood panel.  George is only eight, but for a rottie, that's senior.  The vet reminded me that large dogs age faster than little dogs.  Yes, I know that, but really didn't need to hear that from her.  When the results came back, it shows that he's lost five pounds since last September, has hypothyroidism, and there are some weird numbers on his liver panel. So.....we are now on three medications and will have a checkup in a month.  After three days of medication, he seems a bit more interested in life, but he is still not 100%.  I don't even want to consider any option except for him getting healthy and being my George.

Every day at work was an adventure.  Lots of needy inmates and staff.  I guess they wanted to make sure they got in their full portion of complaints before I went on vacation.  By Friday afternoon, I was ready to escape.  The only reason I didn't make a run to the gate was because I work in a prison and running is frowned upon.  LOL

Yesterday, I was up and moving.  Decided that I would do laundry.  That's it, just laundry.  I have a week to do housework, so I pulled out my project and started to stitch.  I am loving this color.

I am further along...but this is a good picture and I didn't want to waste it.  LOL

Since I was taking a housework break, I decided that the least I should do is make dinner.  LOL  Beef Enchiladas. All of my Mexican friends make fun of me since I prepare them with flour tortillas, but I like them this way.  I call them Enchiladas Gringas.  Very tasty if I say so myself. LOL

I will be driving to LA on Tuesday with my hubby to pick up my stepson.  He seems pretty excited to be heading this way for the summer and hubby is always happy when he comes to visit.

But...next Friday, I am heading to Iowa to visit my son!  I had not made any plans to go, but after the third time he asked if I was coming to see him, I decided that either he has something important to tell me...or he really misses me!  Either way, hubby and I talked it over and he will hold down the fort while I go to visit.  I cannot tell you how much it means to me that my husband is willing to back me up and help with my dad and George.  I am blessed.

And...I am getting a new well!!  After nine months of buying water, we found a driller!   The permit has been issued and he is planning on starting on Monday or Tuesday.  He is saying that it should take about a week.  It will be wonderful to be able to drink water from the tap instead of bottled.  SMILE

So, I will let you go...my rambling could just on and on.  LOL  I will keep everyone updated as I travel cross country.  You know how I love to take pictures!!

Wishing each of you a wonderful week.  Be kind to one another.