Freya - Our Poorly Puppy

Today’s update is the hardest I have had to write as it is today, 29th June 2009, when my battle with lymphangiectasia ends.  I have not really recovered since I had both my chest and abdomen drained on 10th June when the vets drained an amazing 7.5 litres of fluid from me.  Even that astounding volume was not the full effusion as they estimated that they left about a litre on my abdomen to avoid me collapsing through the loss of proteins.  To see my frail body after surgery was devastating.  I came home to the normality of life in the hectic household but was plagued by frequent vomiting and the return of dreadful diarrhoea.  Combine this with my belly bloating within days and a persistent cough and I have become a very sad and exhausted puppy.  My humans started me on pig pancreas mixed in with my food on the recommendation of the vet as this has proved to be a very effective method for some dogs who are failing to thrive through an inability to digest food.  I actually thoroughly enjoyed my meals with the pureed pancreas but continued to suffer the vomiting and diarrhoea.  I have now lost my ‘bounce’ and struggle to jump into the car for an outing.  I have enjoyed gentle strolls with all my family in recent days.  I have built myself a nest on the lounge floor where I lie peacefully and comfortably and watch the world go by.  My pain is particularly obvious when I sit in what used to be my favourite neighbourhood watch chair.  It will be heartbreaking when I go on my final journey later today but I will be with my family forever and pain free, bouncy and able to eat whatever I like.  I cannot find the words to properly express my thanks to all who have shared this journey with me and supported me with wonderful messages and dispatches of prayers and love from around the globe.  Without you it would have been an even harder journey to make.  I'm exhausted after the effort of typing my farewell message but look forward to bouncing around like a rubber ball, running like the wind and feasting with no restrictions when I cross Rainbow Bridge this afternoon.  God bless.  Until we meet again. xxx

I do hope that my regular readers have not given up checking in for news and apologise for the delay in updating my blog but things have been very busy since I last reported in. 

I got a mention in the local paper in March because Granny and I spotted a seal swimming in the sea at the Lower Leas Coastal Park . . . will people be asking for my autograph soon?!?!  I hope they’ll be satisfied with a paw print if they do.  ;o)

I have had another draining of my chest on 16th March which was twelve weeks and three days after my December draining.  Colin drained just over 2 litres from one side of my chest and some from my abdomen.  I weighed 34.85 kg on admission in the morning and only 32.35 kg by discharge in the afternoon.  You should have seen me sprinting the day after surgery . . . if only I wasn’t on the steroids, I’m sure I could have entered for a running event in the London 2012 Olympics.   ;o)   Colin has increased my dose of Prilactone and also started me on an ACE inhibitor.  My circulation has improved and my ears have healed properly for the first time in almost a year.

I’ve had several outings with Granddad as Granny has been up and down the motorway trying to help Mum with her house move.  It has got horribly upsetting as her buyer pulled out and she consequently lost the house she had fallen for and is right back at square one.  I’ve got my paws tightly crossed that things fall into place for her before too long.  Mum has also had to come to terms with needing to find a new job as her school is due for closure.  It really is all happening.

Elaine is now living in with us so that she can look after me whilst Granny goes to teach.  It is great to have Sasha and Kai as playmates.  Kai now sleeps next to me on the settee when everyone else goes up to bed.

We have said farewell to two of Amber’s kittens and really hope they are happy and healthy in their new homes.  Little Daisy gave me a parting pat on the nose . . . bless. 

Little Habika is living up to her name which means ‘sweetheart’.  She is so adventurous too and provides me with endless entertainment as she explores and plays.

I’m delighted to report that Phoenix, Tabitha and Rhya are now getting on much better and no longer find it necessary to hiss and growl at one another.  I’m always alert just in case I need to intervene if a cat fight looks imminent.  Granny has set up a child safety gate to keep me away from their food and it's working well.   

Everybody is hugely relieved that I didn’t break a leg on a recent outing when I had a very unfortunate encounter with a cattle grid.  I’m currently nursing grazed and bruised legs and chest on top of the embarrassment of falling through the grid.  The family I had been dashing off to meet were absolutely wonderful as they stayed with me to check I was okay.

Well folks, I do hope you will forgive me for the lapse in writing my blog and check back for future pupdates.  I also hope that you are enjoying good health and happiness.

Night all.
Sleep well.
xxx

I am astounded to report that I am currently being used as a climbing frame by three-week-old Habika.  She is so adorable that I just lie quietly and tolerate her.  I actually wonder if she is attempting to give me acupuncture as her tiny claws cling to my back.  All three of the kittens are growing so fast and developing their own characters.  I’ll miss them when they go to their new homes.

Everyone has been very concerned about me during the last fortnight as I have been passing bloody motions again.  Granny took me to the vet and has starved me for twenty-four hours and then fed me boiled chicken and brown rice which has certainly helped.  I am just going to have to accept that it is bland, bland, bland for my diet if I am to keep on top of this lymphangiectasia.  Colin has suggested that I need to be away from the vicinity of food other than when it is actually my meal as the sight and smells trigger the release of digestive enzymes which could be damaging my extremely vulnerable digestive tract.    I took the opportunity of being at the clinic to weigh myself and was 32.65kg.  Colin is actually very pleased with me as it is now two months since my last chest drain.  I’m keeping my paws tightly crossed that it will be a long time before I need another draining.  My circulation is very poor so that it is the norm to find me snuggled under a duvet and, would you believe it, there was even a day when Granny created a head scarf to keep my ears warm.  How embarrassing.

 

I have also been in the wars and managed to graze my shin when I slipped off a wall.  I’m glad to say that it has healed really nicely by now. 

 

I now consider Granddad to be an absolute genius.  We were all puzzled as to why I have developed a couple of thinning patches on my hips.  He sussed it out to be where my coat is rubbing.  That has set us all wondering if my fur will actually grow back now that the weather is improving and I will be able to go out without my coat.  Here’s hoping. 

I have been enjoying outings to the Lower Leas Coastal Park with Granny, Mum, Elaine, Sasha and Kai. It has been the busiest I have ever seen it during the half term school break and we have met numerous dogs and their owners.  There was one day when we experienced a bit of an unpleasant start to our outing as there were so many children on scooters and bikes that Kai had got anxious and Sasha was getting defensive.  Luckily we went our separate ways very soon.

I have actually had quite a few hours home without any humans as Granny has been helping Mum with house hunting.  There was also the day when Granny went off to celebrate Great Granny’s 96th birthday.  I’m delighted to report that I have been as good as gold as have Kai and Sasha although I do have to confess that we have been extremely exuberant in our greetings when the humans return.

I have met so many new friends I have been unable to keep up with finding out names for everyone.  My fame is spreading and there have been occasions when people have approached and asked if I am Freya as their friends have spoken of me.  Amazing.

 

Bobby’s family were particularly interested in hearing my story and wished me well whilst Bobby and I played together.

Playing with Harry the labradoodle was hilarious fun.

Snowy and I have met up several times by now and I’m very impressed with his speed when running.

 

 

Amber is proving to be a delightful playmate. 

It was an early awakening for Granny again this morning as I was desperate for a pee at about 5.30 am.  I immediately returned to rest and relax on Mum’s bed and was excellent about taking my corticosteroid when Granny brought it to me at 7.30 am.  On the other hand, I wasn’t in the mood for breakfast and ate a few bits of chicken if Granny fed them to me by hand.  It wasn’t until about 2.30 pm that I actually finished my breakfast.  I hope Granny will cook me a fat free spaghetti Bolognese as I’m longing for some beef.

It was a quiet morning this morning with me basically lazing it away apart from the occasional wander to my bowl for a drink.  At least my raging thirst is under control these days.  I reckon I drink about a gallon of water a day instead of the two or more that I was drinking.

I thoroughly enjoyed my outing today and I think Granny did too.  It was kind of the same as usual but kind of different too.  We went down to the Lower Leas Coastal Park as usual but it was very different at first when it was humans without dogs who were befriending us.  Firstly there was a man and his nephew from Kurdistan.  They asked Granny to take a photograph of them and then they wanted another with me posing with them.  I did move just as Granny snapped the shot but I think they’ve got a glimpse of me in the frame.  They said I was beautiful.

A few yards further on and it was a group of young children who were so excited to meet me.  There were three girls with two mummies and a baby being carried.  The girls were very enthusiastic and I bounced around with them whilst trying to be very careful not to knock anyone over.

It wasn’t until the end of the outing that we met another dog-free group of humans who befriended me.  This time it was a group of teenagers.  I met Jason first as I waited for him to catch up with me so that I could say hello.  A group of girls were teasing and calling for me to kill him but, me being me, I most certainly would not do it.  When they caught up with me they pretended that I was Jason’s Mum . . . . silly sausages!  They were very friendly and listened as Granny told them of my fame.  I reckon they might try to find me on Facebook.  I wonder if they’ll succeed as Granny had not got my business cards with her.  Too many lapses like that and I’ll have to sack her . . . . . . . . . only kidding!  ;o)

As for my canine encounters, there were plenty.  There was virtually a dog party on the beach and I went and joined in enthusiastically.  A Mummy was really laughing when firstly a Labrador went and disturbed her daughter who was trying to have a discreet wee behind a rock and then I did the same from the other side.  Poor girl.  Thankfully she wasn’t scared and seemed to find it as funny as her Mummy.  I don’t know the names of all the dogs on the beach and am very surprised that Granny didn’t photograph all of them . . . unbelievable!

We then enjoyed a gentle stroll although I did cause havoc when I attempted to join two separate joggers and almost tripped both of them . . . . big oops!  Granny grabbed me by the harness when a cyclist was approaching so that I didn’t cause an accident there.

 

It was so peaceful in the park area that all we could hear was the sound of birdsong.  Granny clicked away and managed to get some photos that she was pleased with.

My final canine encounter was with Rosie who I’ve met before.  Her owner seems to think she’s a bit of a drama queen as she suddenly screamed for no apparent reason but was then absolutely fine.  I really don’t like it when I hear that kind of sound as I really do want everyone to be well and happy and certainly not in pain.

On the way home we popped in at the vets to collect my medications and to weigh me.  I’m 32.25kg this week so I reckon the medications are probably doing a reasonable job.  I met two dogs whilst either in the clinic or on my way back to the car.  The second was the most adorable puppy who was only six months old and as keen as mustard to play with me despite being only as tall as my knees.  

Back at home and Granny let me get straight onto the laptop so that I could type up my blog . . . thanks, Granny.  I then stretched out on the settee for a snooze as Granny got on with a variety of household chores.

I’ve enjoyed a quiet evening with the log fire blazing and scented candles burning as more snow falls.  My dream of having some beef became reality when Uncle Andy left some lean steak for me to really enjoy.

I wonder if I’ll wake to a white world again in the morning.  I hope I manage to sleep through so that I don’t disturb Granny.  I hope you will be able to enjoy a lovely weekend and hope to see you again for a future pupdate.

Night all.
xxx

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Tuesday 3rd January - Walking in the sunshine under an azure blue sky . . .

It was another night when I had to disturb Granny as I needed to pee in the small hours . . . these diuretics both solve and create problems.  Grrr!  I was excellent about settling back down until the alarm when I was very cooperative about taking my medications and having my breakfast.  I even allowed Granny to put the ointment in my eyes before she had to depart for work and I was home alone.

It was a huge relief when Granny got home and she issued a flood alert for Folkestone when I sprinted to the garden for an enormous pee.  I do hope Elaine will be able to sit with me as soon as the snow and ice clears for her.

Granny poached me a nice bit of fish for my lunch and we then set off for our first outing since Saturday.  It was great to get out and the weather was so dramatically improved with sunshine and blue skies.

I met Mutsi who was being walked by her owner’s neighbour and isn’t currently allowed off her lead.  We were bouncing around to such an extent that I ended up tied up in her lead . . . oops!

It wasn’t long before I encountered Anubis, a Belgian Shepherd who also apparently goes by the name of Blade Runner.  Anubis performed a very impressive trick of ‘up and over’ with an athletic leap over a bench.  I hasten to add that I didn’t attempt to imitate.

My heart skipped a beat when a handsome hound suddenly and silently appeared from behind a bush.  I’m convinced I’ve met him before but can’t remember a name and haven’t the time to search through months of photos to attempt an identification.  It’s a shame that Granny didn’t manage to speak with his human.

We were surprised how quiet it was on the promenade on such a lovely afternoon.  Mind you, it was very cold so that I was very impressed by the coat of the first dog I did meet.  I wonder if my fur will ever grow back.

Jodie was a very confident terrier who grew up with a ridgeback.  Her human used to have three ridgebacks and she thought that I was beautiful.  Needless to say, Granny issued one of my business cards so that Jodie’s human can read all about me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my chicken at teatime as I had worked up quite an appetite and Granny had also made a very tasty gravy today.  All my medications slipped down unnoticed and I enjoyed a couple of my banana biscuits as a treat. 

I spent the evening snoozing on the lounge settee and have just had my midnight meal and medications.  I’ve got twenty minutes to wait now until my final medication and then it’s off to bed so I’ll sign off for today and hope to see you back for a future pupdate.

Night all

xxx

Monday 2nd February - Snow and sleep . . .

Today was an amazing day in as much as it snowed just about all morning and the whole country seemed to grind to a halt.  I followed the lead and spent almost the entire day fast asleep, tucked in under my own duvet.

Granny was originally supposed to be going to take Great Grandma out shopping but the trip was postponed because of the weather.  Granny decided to do her own shopping and a couple of other errands and came home with tales of how the wind and snow were blowing in her face and making it difficult to see.

We abandoned any notion of an outing and I do think the rest was beneficial.  I was extremely cooperative about having my eye ointment applied and actually adore the soothing sensation when Granny gently rubs it in.  My eyes are greatly improved much to everyone’s relief.

I enjoyed my meals throughout the day and took all medications appropriately.

As it had turned to rain before bedtime, I went off to bed with my paws crossed for better weather to permit an outing.

That was the week, that was . . .

Sunday 1st February

My most sincere apologies to regular readers for the lack of completed daily entries in recent times.  Circumstances have changed so much with Granny returning to work.  There are occasions when I simply can’t get on the laptop because she’s busy working on it.  On other occasions she has nodded off to sleep in her chair without opening the laptop for me to do my blog . . . it’s that old opposable thumbs issue again – doh!  I will try to catch up with the events of recent days now but do ask for your understanding if I deviate from the old routine of a daily blog.

Today has been a day when I’ve spent a lot of time with my eyes closed.  They are looking less sore as Granny is applying my cream regularly and it really is helping.  I have been asleep on Mum’s bed for large chunks of the day whilst I’ve been watching the snow fall from my favourite armchair at other times.

We decided to skip an outing today as Granny was anxious about the bitterly cold, snow-laden wind being a problem for my eyes.  I made her laugh when I took my penguin out to keep me company when I ventured out for the toilet.  She was less amused when I left it on the grass and she had to fetch it in . . . oops!
 
My appetite hasn’t been too good today.  I took my corticosteroid nicely before breakfast but was only interested in eating a tiny amount of chicken when Granny hand fed me.  I’ve been popping back to the bowl during the day and actually managed to lick it clean of breakfast at about a quarter to four.   Hmmm . . . . teatime is usually 4pm.  Oops!  And as for lunch!  I did try the old begging routine as I could smell the delicious roast potatoes but the family are resolute in keeping me on the straight and narrow path of a fat free diet.  I do appreciate that it is for the greater good but do long for forbidden foods.

Saturday 31st January

Today proved to be a very eventful day which included yet another trip to the vet and an outing to visit the kittens in Medway.

  
My eyes have been a bit weepy on and off for a while now but they were really horrible this morning with the right eye much worse than the left.  Granny rang the vet as soon as they were open but couldn’t get an appointment until almost noon.  I got all silly and nervous again and was shaking like a leaf.  I suppose it’s hardly surprising after all I’ve been through.  Granny was great about reassuring me and I cooperated as Mike did a thorough examination of my eyes and confirmed our belief that I’ve got conjunctivitis.  At one stage he had my right eye glowing fluorescent green in the dark . . . weird!  He prescribed an ointment to be applied to both eyes three times a day for a week.

It was off to Medway next to visit Amber and her kittens.  I couldn’t believe how much they’ve grown in eight days and examined them closely to check that nobody was trying to trick me by substituting different kittens.  It was Drake, Habika and Loki alright and Drake even has her eyes open.  They’re so cute.

Amber obviously checked me out as an acceptable guest to visit her kittens and monitored my activities closely.

I know I shouldn’t have a favourite but I think it’s Habika who has won my heart.  She is just so sweet and gets into the most adorable poses.  Bless.

Elaine took us all out for an outing so that the car was very full with Granny and Kai in the front, Mum and me in the back and Sasha in the boot.  It was very muddy in places but was an amazing location with huge open spaces for us to run.

 

I met a variety of other dogs but didn’t get to know any names.  

I didn’t even come straight home when we left Medway as Granny drove us for a quick visit to Great Auntie Sue . . . twice in two days!  I was a good girl again and two of the cats even came through to the lounge whilst I was snuggling up with Sue.  I’m so glad they realise that I mean them no harm.  I wonder if Jasmine will be brave enough to come out of hiding next time I visit.

It was eventually time for home where I slept in Mum’s room.

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What a busy day it has been and I've been left with no time to type up my blog properly . . . again!  I am planning to catch up either tomorrow or Wednesday.

The most significant fact to convey about the day today is that I popped up to the veterinary practice to collect some of my outstanding medications and grabbed the opportunity to hop on the scales.  I have lost a staggering 4kg (8lbs 13ozs) since my last weigh-in.  This is basically fluid loss so that the medications are really working.  I now weigh 30.85kg whereas my ideal weight is apparently 32kg according to the chart by the scales.

I had an excellent outing when I met lots of friends to either just socialise or play.  I'll upload pictures and the story as soon as possible.

Granny needs to get on here to do some lesson preparation for tomorrow so I'll sign off and wish everyone a good night.

Night all

xxx

In all honesty, today was pretty much a complete washout.  I honestly thought I wouldn't get an outing but did eventually manage a very brief late trip to the coastal park.  As it was gloomy and wet, Granny was unable to get any decent photographs and other visitors to the park were not feeling sociable.

The good news about the day was that I had a good day as far as taking all medications and enjoying all my meals.

I'll come back and fill in a few more details later but for now I'll say . . .

Night all, sleep well.

xxx