When they’re ailing, my interpretation skills are stymied. I just want to get on my hands and knees and demand, “Bella! Tell me where it hurts!”
Since her last visit to the vet on June 26 (the day of my SIL’s death) the meds worked for a while. Lately, not. Bella has a new back problem and backs are large and complex. We didn’t encourage her to perform circus antics for two weeks while on meds. My deepest concern was that she didn’t care about the circus anymore.
No ball in mouth. No hula-hoop nearby.
We went to see Dr. Mark today for an emergency appointment. I learned she lost two pounds in two weeks. Brief written report on the statement:
The last thoracic vertebrae is decreased in size. There is a small osteophyte in the left side of the vertebra above this area. I feel with anti-inflammatories (Prednisone) she should heal. She has such good motion and movement that she should heal well. The drugs will increase her thirst and appetite.
I don’t do foreign languages. Whaaaat??? I asked him to splain me in first grade English:
With decreasing dosages of steroids, she’ll be fine. She will play again, circus style.
OK! Now I watch her sleep and would love to swaddle her like an infant. Pets are family members and there is no arguing about it.
Feel better, my lovely Bel Bel. Rest.
I feel queasy and w-w-wweird and v-v-very sleepy. We will play ball later, K, Mommy? (Yeah, right, Bella)
The other Licker has been concerned. Really, she has. Dogs sense more than we realize.
Bella, your Licker half misses you and your silly antics. I think she loves you but she’ll never admit it because she’s Chloe.
Enough emergencies, already!
I just might need to pass on the next one.
Heaven help us :o)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update tonight at 8:30 p.m.
Chill, Bella. :o)
33 comments:
Hi Mary....how I understand this post.....my old cavalier has a serious heart condition....she just has to start panting too much or lay in her bed too long and I'm watching.....waiting...listening.
We love our dogs, they are a huge part of our life.....their love is total and unconditional. We want the best for them.
I hope dear Bella gets relief soon and your world gets back to some sort of normality....
Poor Bella! I do hope she feels better soon. Just so the vet doesn't give her too big a dose of steroids--she might turn into Wonderdog in her circus acts:)
Thanks for leaving such nice comments on my blog. Hope life calms down for you very soon.
Hugs to Bella, and Chloe, too. And a great big one to you. That last photo of the girls moved me to tears and I got right up from my computer and went and hugged my little Zoe tight before sitting back down here to write this comment. When our dogs hurt, we hurt. I keep you all in my daily thoughts and prayers, gretchen
Oh, poor Bella! Since dogs (and cats for that matter) do such a good job of masking pain, she must have been in agony to show her pain that much.
Having just lost another cat last week (the third in just under four months)I certainly understand your worry and anguish. To me at least, they are indeed family members, not just pets.
I think you all need a good rest. Rent some videos this weekend and sit in bed with your Licker sisters and veg out.
I think possumlady is right. You and the Lickers could probably all use a loafing, vegging, lying around, popcorn munching, movie watching, toenail painting, wine sipping, feet up kind of weekend!
Poor Bella, and poor Mary. It is so hard to see our dogs in pain, isn't it? Here's hoping the medications and rest will resolve the problem.
Hope Bella is feeling better! Those steroids can be miracle drugs! I remember how panicked I got when my old lab, Rosie, couldn't walk without screaming one morning. I freaked. Turned out it was arthritis. She needed pain relievers and rest. Sigh. But, when they hurt . . .
Oh Mary, Give Bella extra pats and love from her Web Auntie, and be sure that Chloe gets her fare share. Nothing worse than a sick doggie. It makes us feel so helpless.
Poor Bella.
I hope you have someone who can let her out for doggie business--steroids increase thirst and hunger, and (um) then the urge to go follows.
Our dog is so good in the house--goes for 12 hrs without going to bathroom under special circumstances, but on steroids she pees on the floor if she doesn't go out every two hours or so.
Oh, yes, we hurt when they do. I'm so glad the prognosis is good and look forward to seeing lots of pictures of frolicking sisters.
Oh, this is a tough one - hope she feels better fast.
I father always Had Bostons. Great dogs!
http://joec66.blogspot.com/
This post tears my heart. I love Bella as if I knew her (I know her kind!). And I know exactly where you must be now--Baker's been really sick once and I was just a mess, walking in circles. I had a parakeet years ago who was seriously ill. When he'd have his spells I could just write the whole day off. Sometimes I'd look down on myself, getting that bent out of shape over a parakeet, and wonder at the strength of the pet bond. But when you're in its grip, you're in it, and you just have to ride it out. Wishing you and Bel-bel pain free days and sweet dreams.
Looks like Bella's better! Or at least feeling no pain.
It's almost harder for me to witness another animal's concern than to be concerned myself.
Years ago, when my daughter's cat was hit by a car, our other cat (Annie) struggled to find her.
I felt worse for Annie's knowing, but not knowing, than I did for our own sadness.
Give Bella a soft hug from me. Bless their hearts they only want to give us love-not have to have pain. You are such a good Mom. I know they both appreciate your TLC.
Hope Bella is feeling much better soon and is ring leading the circus at your house. :c)
I hope Bella feels better soon! It's hard watching the pets get older.
I understand too...I had a tiny toy poodle that had seizures. It was heartbreaking and so scary for me when she would have them.
I hope Bella is feeling better and back to normal soon.
Oh bless her heart, Mary ~ she is so precious; they both are. Love how the last photo is of her with her hula hoop in her mouth. Probably not quite ready to play, but already feeling better that it becomes a possibility. :o)
Hugs galore (gentle ones) for Bella, and for Mary, too. Our animal friends give us so much, and so willingly, that their distress tears at our hearts. After so many difficult days, possumlady is right - healing veg time for Mary, Chloe, and Bella.
Good feeling and wishes for Bella. OF COURSE, they talk....and of course we have two way conversations! (fruitcake people- are the ones that CAN'T have two-way conversations with an animal!)the hula hoops are hilarious!
Isn't it incredible how intuitive those little lickers are! My boys are the same way with each other...and LOST when one of the two is sick or out of sight of the other. I do hope Bella is feeling better QUICK. My boys both have constant back problems, but they are 12 and 13 now. * Hey Bella and Chloe, Dewey and Badger here...sending daschie licks to help speed your recovery...hang in there with the pred, Mom, we've done truckloads of that stuff...but it does help us feel better quick and we run to get our toys. We'll keep a check on you and your Mom....hmmmm, would you mind sharing that hoola hoop? Our Mom didn't get us one of those! (howls) *
Gosh Mary, I know how awful it is to have a sick pet. I'm so glad to read Bel is feeling better...or that the meds have kicked in for her. Bless her little heart (yours too!)
Mary, I wish your dear Bel Bel could know how much people care about her. Poor sweet girl. Please kiss her for me.
Dear Mary,
I have been sending dear Miss Bella all sorts of happy dreams while she rests. Glad to know she will be healed soon.
Bless your heart. You need everything to calm down and be peaceful, boring would be good for a couple of months.
I'm with Possum Lady and Lynne,take the weekend off and just cuddle up with the girls!
Sherry
Poor Baby Bella. I hope she feels better soon, Mare. I know you and Chloe will take good care of her. (I know how hard it is to have a doggy that's not feeling well)
Oh Mary, this does seem to be a stressful summer for you. You and Bella are in my thoughts and I'm sure she'll be chipper soon.
I know exactly how you feel concerning your sweet little friend. When they are feeling sick it changes everything - very much like when your human loved ones are sick.
Thea had to have some teeth pulled and cleaned and had to be anethecised. We were so worried because pugs have breathing problems when put under and then afterward she was wobbley and not herself at all. She was better in a few days and we were so very relieved. Those two days were awful. They are such a part of us and are so important and anything bad that happens to them, happens to us too.
I agree with you, pets are family members and we love our adorable friends!
I do hope dear Bella feels better soon. Flora send a kiss to her!
Ah! Love your new template with the yellow background!
I hope poor Bella gets back to normal soon. Prednisone is a potent anti-inflammatory and should work quickly. Bless you and your loyal pets.
Hi Mary,
It's so terrible to have a pet who is sick. She is just beautiful. What eyes! It sounds like a trying time for all involved. I'm sending healing waves to her.
Oh my goodness, Mary, I hope Bella is doing well. It's terrible when our babies have problems.
Hugs,
Donna
I hope Bella is improving - poor doggie. It's hard when our pets aren't well. Prednisone is a strange medication, having needed it on occasion these past thirty years. I remember my appetite soaring and having trouble sleeping at times.
Thinking of you and hoping Chloe will have her usual Bella back to play with ... and you too!!
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