Where we are....one year later

Well, we're almost at the one year mark. December 18th, 2010, we found out that the King was in renal failure and was thrombocytopenic. Under the watchful eyes of Dr Graham and the staff at Sangaree Animal Hospital, we were referred to Dr Sergio Chalhoub at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. Dr Serge has been amazing, allowing Dr Graham to perform the blood work and to make changes to Stet's med regimen (reminds me of some of my older patients with their WalMart bags full of meds!), all the while watching from the wings. Imagine your vet telling you that he and the "specialist" sit at Stingray's hockey games and discuss your dog's health and the plan of action! Stet truly doesn't know how lucky he is to have these fellows taking care of him. Of course, CitiCard doesn't care if he ever gets well....they're making some serious dough off his mom!

We're on a quarter dose of the Pred that we rapidly ramped up to, since his platelet count wasn't responding. Since then, he's also on Azothioprine, a chemo agent, that basically slams his immune system into submission. Dr Serge determined that Stetson's platelet problem was auto-immune, meaning that his bone marrow was destroying all those lovely little clotting platelets.....To add to those two, he's also on Prilosec since the Pred irritates his GI tract, causing some bleeding, which he can't afford. With the platelets and the renal failure, my boy is also slightly anemic. The last time we had a urinalysis done, he was spilling protein into his urine, which was worrisome. His renal numbers (after feeding a renal specific dog food) have normalized, but the protein worried the Doc. We went to Dr Serge for a BP check (normal) to make sure high BP wasn't the culprit. Then we added Benazapril to his list, to keep that protein in check. Both vets assure me that the protein is likely secondary to the high dose Prednisone we've been on so long......Will this never end?

We went today to our favorite Dr Graham, and had some blood drawn, so tomorrow we should hear results. We'll know if we can notch that Pred down once more! Slow dance, since we can't take him off fast....my medical friends understand that this would send his body into steroid withdrawals, like a "storm" and could kill him. After all we've been through and done, he's gonna have to hang around (although I threaten to off him about once a week!!!!). Prednisone is an evil drug! It's made bad habits worse, and fried the little brain he had......he's a hot mess. My Mom can't understand my addiction and loyalty to this dog....he's a troublemaker, untrainable, and a general pain in the rear. I can't really explain it either, other than to say....I think back on that May afternoon in Maryville, TN, when I walked up and laid eyes on his (as Karen says) "Sexy beast" self, it was over. He had me at the first look! Big sad brown eyes in that flashy black and white face.....looking miserable in a crate, as if to say "Can you help me? I'm not a prisoner. I don't belong in here." For the record, the crate still insults his royal highness.

If I'd had psychic powers then, and known the road we were going to travel, would I have left him in the hand of the rescue? No. Karen knew it, and I knew it. When he went home as "foster", he was never to be available again. I have made the occasional threat, and came pretty close to relocating him, but I feel to guilty to do it. I feel like I made him a promise, and I have to make good on it. For all his drama (and mine), he's mine. I've brought him this far, and if we have 3 more years together or 3 months, well, I feel like he knows he's home, and he knows....I'm his human. The big goat.

Sir Elliott and Miss Sadie Mae are as well as well can be. Ell has a cherry eye, and we got a quote on that repair. HOLY MOSES! I'm going to have to find some overtime to cover that one. He's insulted that he's not an only child, and lets his siblings know it often and at full volume. He spends his days sleeping with one eye open.....to growl when they dare to invade his personal space (the entire first floor of the house), but he rarely wins the argument. He is definitely not the Alpha. Sadie is crazy. What else can be said. She's 18 pounds of black and white spots.....she's been mistaken for a Dalmation puppy when shaved for the summer.....but she likes to taunt the King. She may not live to see her 4th birthday at the rate she's going.....She is also a hot mess.

So. That's where we are in the world of the Canines. May not fascinate you, but....they're my children, and for whatever they cost me.....Your 2 legged's will cost you 50 times more. And, I can crate mine and escape.....you're stuck with yours for the long haul!

The King Stetson Story

In May 2008, I was volunteering with Cocker Companions Rescue, and was mainly helping at events and transporting dogs. We were scheduled out at Maryville on a Sunday afternoon, and I was going to meet two of our newest fosters. The day was gorgeous, and there was a great crowd! By the time I got out of church and over to Maryville (Murville for you natives) it was about 1 o'clock. When I got there, Karen and the crew were there already, setting up and settling in our fuzzies. I walked up, and saw the most gorgeous bundle of black and white Cocker goodness that I'd ever laid eyes on. He was freshly groomed, bandana intact, and sitting in the large crate looking out as if to say "Take me home. I am too good to be on display this way." The King has this trademark, hangdog stare, and he was putting it on this day. Well, he had me at "Woof." I walked him, got him chipped and brought him back over. I said to Karen "You do realize I'm in love with this dog." Evil grin from fair rescue director, and she said, "He is a sexy beast." Meanwhile, a lady had seen the King on our website, and she was on her way to meet him. Glad he had a potential home, but kinda jealous as he was such a handsome mug.

At the end of that day, his potential had turned into a giant No, and Karen asked if I'd take him home and foster him, as he'd been living in boarding at the vet. Sure. No problem. Within 3 days, I called Karen and had her remove him from the adoptables list. He ran away with my heart, and has yet to return it. The big, goofy clown of a dog is one of my favorite things in life. He knows what buttons to push, and he pushes them well. He acquires new friends wherever we go, and he has the ability to make everyone fall in love with him. He is.....a lover. Some of you have asked about where he came from....so here goes.

My giant, silly, clown of a Cocker was a breeder's stud in a puppy mill. Karen got a call about the mill shutting down, and wanted to know if we'd take some of the dogs. My understanding is that Stetson was left 24/7 in a 4x4 run, and bred with a rape box. Makes him sound like he was not a nice boy, huh? He had hair covering his eyes, and was in a sad state. The groomer was actually able to save his coat, not shave him, which was a miracle. He likes his toys, and has a touch of source guardian in him, but we make sure he can't take possession of much of anything, and the fights are limited. Overall, he's a good boy, and I'm happy to say I think his life with me is better than any day at the mill.

I'm no stranger at our vet's office with this guy. He's had his belly x rayed for bleeding in the summer 08, as he ate something (who knows what) that he shouldn't have. In early 09, we went to the pet ER at 1030 at night when he acted like he couldn't walk, and was in great pain. I now own an xray of his lovely foot and leg....all over a pulled toe nail. I was hoping that would be the last of the "nonsense" but it was not to be.

In December, the King and his sister Sadie got into over something, what exactly, I cannot remember, but she lunged and attacked. The face and nose are very vascular, and he bled for 2 hours. Into the Pet ER in North Charleston at 10pm with the boy. We escaped xrays, and even stitches this time. The vet there felt he'd need something for pain, but wanted to check his kidney function first. His was elevated, or not functioning appropriately, and she wanted us to follow up with our vet. We did start some antibiotics for the "dog bite". (Still makes me laugh that a dog got a dog bite.) And we called our vet the next day.

In the midst of the kidney problems, we also learned that Stetson had a low platelet count, down to about 2,000. Normal count for canines is 200-400,000. Holy Moses! I spoke to our vet at length about treatment and testing, and cost. I've got to say that anyone who thinks it's easy to be a pet parent in this day and time is crazy. After learning what just the testing was going to cost, I told Dr Graham that I just can't do it. I can't afford it. (I know I'm going to catch it here). He was in agreement. He said that we'll treat the platelets for now (clotting blood is more important at this point) and if and when I'm able, we'll delve into the kidney issues. I'm hoping and praying this was a fluke thing, maybe a virus or something that elevated those numbers, but I've got a feeling that it's more than that.

The King is not acting sick. He's the same old goofy, laundry stealing, food interested ball of black and white fluff that he always has been. He likes his naps, and he comes to my lap every night for cuddle time with Mom. If anyone else is there first, well, he just puts it in 4wd and knocks them out of the way. He is, after all, the King. And a hot mess.

I'm probably in over my head with 3 Cockers, but the thought of sending even one away sends chills down my spine. I'm convinced that they have a better life with me than they did previously, and while I know that all 3 could have gone to equally wonderful homes elsewhere......*sigh*....they are mine, and they are loved and cared for. And as I watch the 3 of them napping at the moment, I am content. I don't know what I'd do without them. They are my entertainment.