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Hershey and Snickers: Throughput
I realized t's been awhile since I posted, so here's an update on my guys:
Hershey is doing remarkably well! He has his bad days, but overall he is a happy, content (and VERY spoiled) dog! He now gets 1/2 dog food and 1/2 home cooked meals daily. We still do our walks and have recently added Snickers into our walking routiene. His health seems to have stabilized more or less, and we just take it one day at a time. It's amazing how well he actually is, it's hard to believe he has a terminal cancer.:(
Snickers is growing like a weed! He's now three months old and 22 pounds! The vet said he is not overweight, but we may have a big dog on our hands! Big paws!
The two have bonded very close! The do everything together! Snickers is now housebroken thanks to "Uncle Hershey". They have a lot of the same mannerisims. They bunny-hop down the stairs in exactly the same way, eat, drink and have the same facial expressions!
Here's some pics to enjoy!
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-19-10033.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-22--23-10014.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-22--23-10020.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-23-24-10046.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-25-26-10003.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-27-10005.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/02-27-10082.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/3764022.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/3764052.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/3764111.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Hersh%20and%20Snick/3764159.jpg
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colochoclab
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03/07/10 09:01am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Traveling Labs Blog
Hahahaha! That was great!
Labs rule!
-Lab
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colochoclab
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03/02/10 05:35pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Would it be possible to add a new category under pets?
Because some of us here need the support of other people who understand our distress and feel the same way that we do about our furbabies. Even though it upsets me to the point of tears when other people post about the death of their babies, I feel the need to support them by reading their post, just as they supported me. In our daily lives, we don't always get that support or understanding.
Well said!
Ditto.
For me and my situation, having this forum is an absolute Godsend. I can post here and not be judged by other pet people, but be supported and given great advice. As for segregating a "sick" catagory, well, I'm not sure. I guess I agree with the opinion that if you don't want to read it, don't click it.
I also have tried to brighten everyone's day with postings of Hershey's camping adventures and photos.
-Lab
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colochoclab
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03/02/10 05:24pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Another Hershey Post
UPDATE:
Hersh continues to have good days and bad days. A concerning new symptom is minor nose bleeds. I've read is IS a possible symptom of his cancer.
He was sneezing a lot, and I don't know if the sneezing is causing the nosebleeds or vice-versa.
Trying to enjoy each and every day with my buddy.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/25/10 08:32am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Another Hershey Post
I agree with the comments!
Bolth the Prednisone and Tramadol need to be tapered before discontinuing, but we did not discontinue, but reduced his previous dosages by half. (Hershey's dosage is now 1/2 pill Tramadol and 1/2 Prednisone in am, half that in pm)
He is on such a low dose of each, that our vet was surprised it was working. Hershey has always had a high sensitivity to certain drugs, opiates and steriods in particular. Way back when, the vet tried a dose 4x higher that what we give him now in the am and that was given every 6 hours! That went badly. Poor guy was gorked.
Just like people, these drugs can cause different reactions!
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colochoclab
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02/18/10 10:49am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Another Hershey Post
UPDATE:
We backed off his doses of Tramadol and Prednisone and he's back to normal. Going up and down stairs like nobody's business!
I think he likes to scare the crud outa me now and then.
Of course, any time anything seems to be amiss with him, I find myself going into a panic thinking, "This is it.". I know I can't think that way, but it's very hard not to.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/18/10 07:37am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Another Hershey Post
UPDATE:
This is weird.
Ok. Hershey is on Tramadol and Prednisone, a fairly low dose, but we adjust to his level of comfort when needed. We did up his Tram the previous day and I think he was having a type of reaction to the increase. He would react painfully when I touched his fur on his lower back/tail. Just barely touching his fur! YIPE! And this would only happen about an hour after his medicine dose. When time passed and the meds began to wear off, he was back to normal. I don't get it.
I know that these meds can cause mental alterations and that may be part of it. Of course, the local vet has no clue. Very frustrating.
As of last night and this morning, he is doing better. Still a little leery of going up stairs, but going down is no problem. It also may have to due with the deck stairs are made of Trex and he can't get a good grip. I will cut some old carpet for the stairs soon to help him get some traction and maybe help him out.
Thanks for all the support and letting me vent!
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/17/10 07:48am |
RV Pet Stop
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Another Hershey Post
Hershey is giving us another bad scare today...
Last night, he was having trouble getting up from sleeping. His hindquarters seemed really stiff. This happened very quickly, just that morning, he was walking perfectly.
He must use stairs to get back and forth from our backyard and this moring he has exteme difficulty going up the stairs. When I tried to give him a boost, he yiped. He seems to be walking okay once up, but has trouble getting up.
I have no clue if this is related to his cancer or what. He has an appointment with the vet (not our regular guy) this evening. The DW just texted me and said it is at the beginning of his tail/end of his back. When she touches it, he cries.
Injury? He is still on his Tramadol and his Prednisone.
I really don't know what to do. The vet tech said the doc would not do x-rays only prescribe meds.
Poor guy. He needs to catch a break.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/16/10 02:08pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
Hershey is giving us another bad scare today...
Last night, he was having trouble getting up from sleeping. His hindquarters seemed really stiff. This happened very quickly, just that morning, he was walking perfectly.
He must use stairs to get back and forth from our backyard and this moring he has exteme difficulty going up the stairs. When I tried to give him a boost, he yiped. He seems to be walking okay, but has trouble getting up.
I have no clue if this is related to his cancer or what. He has an appointment with the vet (not our regular guy) this evening. The DW just texted me and said it is at the beginning of his tail/end of his back. When she touches it, he cries.
Injury? He is still on his Tramadol and his Prednisone.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/16/10 11:42am |
RV Pet Stop
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Snickers Pics
What a royal pain in the... oh well.
But he's a real cutie!
Bolth Hershey and Snickers are doing very well. They have bonded tightly and Hershey is showing the new guy the ropes! Darn potty training!
I especially like the pic of me and Hershey. Made me cry!
-Lab
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/hershey/scn0009.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/hershey/scn0018.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/hershey/scn0014.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/hershey/scn0013JPGa.jpg
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colochoclab
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02/15/10 08:19pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
Hershey gave us a bad scare today. A really bad scare. A scare so bad that I made arrengements for his final arrangements.
Let me explain. Woke up today and we went for our usual walk. He was a little tired and when we came home, he refused to eat his breakfast, Uh oh. All he wanted was to sleep. I finally coaxed him to eat a hotdog.
This was exactly how he went downhill last time. I panicked. Big. I thought that this was it. That the cancer had caused his whatever to bleed and he was bleeding out internally. It was a forever wait for the vets office to open and then the doc didn't get in for 2 hours.
To take my mind off things, I shoveled snow. When I went back in, Hershey was waiting for me, bright eyed and wagging. ??? We went for another walk and he loved it! was crazy and loving life! He ate afterwards and had a really good day.
The vet removed his surgery stapes and ran a blood test. All ok. No internal bleeding, No distention or anything. His RBC count was a (almost) normal 35!
My prayers this day have been answered.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/08/10 08:35pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Hershey Is An Uncle
Now if he will only stop peeing all over the house!
That's the first thing I thought when I saw him on that pretty rug! Was Hershey also a really young baby when you got him? If so, you know the drill. :W 1) Confine him to a space with hard floors or an x-pen lined with newspapers, or crate him. 2) Take him to the potty area often. 3) Stock up on "Simple Solution." :B He's really too young to have the run of the house. Best of luck to all of you!
Hershey was FIVE weeks old way back when!
Snickers is crated when alone, but man, he does not like it!
Walmart had pet stain remover 2 for the price of one, thank goodness.
I really can't remember how long it took Hershey to get housebroken. Snickers seems pretty smart. Majority of his accidents are at the back door, getting close!
-Lab
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colochoclab
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02/07/10 09:00pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Hershey Is An Uncle
Snow!
You gotta love how the little guy has taken to Hershey!
-Lab
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-07-10009.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-07-10021.jpg
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colochoclab
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02/07/10 08:55pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Hershey Is An Uncle
Now if he will only stop peeing all over the house!
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/07/10 05:38pm |
RV Pet Stop
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Hershey Is An Uncle
Well, the new guy is home!
His AKC name will be "Hershey's Handsome Beauregard Snickers" or just "Snickers" for short!
He is a handsome little purebreed chocolate lab born 12-4-09. His Sire is "Cajun" and Dam is "Sadie". We got to meet bolth parents and the home they were born into. We received a great packet with 5 generations of his lineage. He even has a "Sir Hershey" as a great, great, great geandpa! We were really impressed with the breeder's ranch and how personable all the dogs are. His mom and dad jumped up on the couch and gave us bolth kisses!
This little guy picked us instead of us picking him! He was very interested in us more than the other puppies and we knew "he's the one"!
He snoozed in the DW's lap all the way home. Hershey and Snickers are getting along quite good! A little growling on Hershey's part, but Snickers has really taken to him and follows him everywhere! Even outside, Snickers took a cue from Hershey and did his thing outdoors!
Snickers does have a touch of diarrhea. He just finished his de-worming meds the day before and it may be from that. We'll keep an eye on it. If he does need any vet assistance, the breeder will pay all the vet bills no questions asked. Not bad.
-Lab
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10071.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10073.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10090.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10093.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10095.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10101.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10122.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee295/colochoclab/Snickers/02-06-10126.jpg
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colochoclab
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02/07/10 12:09pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
The DW an I attended out 1st pet loss group session.
Wow.
Lots of crying. Lots of memories. We even talked a lot about of previous pets. Pass the kleenex.
In a strange way, it felt good to let go of some of those tears. It was a safe place with people who really understand. Pet people.
In the end, I felt guilty about being able to go home and still give my big Hershey a big hug. Everyone else there could not say that.
I can't sleep. I'm watching "Kelly's Heroes" and Hershey is snoring on the couch.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/04/10 10:35pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
We got this info from the people at VRCC:
http://petlossdenver.org/
The meetings are held at the Harrison Memorial Pet Hospital.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/04/10 02:34pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
Sorry about the earlier post, it helps to have others out there!
On a positive note, Hershey had the best morning walk in a long time! It was the first time we walked to the park, through it and back home. When he saw what direction we turned to go to the park, he became soo excited and actually ran, YES RAN, part of the way!
Crazy at it sounds, doing our morning walk like we used to, is one "check-off" on our Bucket List! It felt great to do something so... normal?
We are anticipating the arrival of the new guy this weekend! We are all set up. (Our 2 cats are VERY suspicious of the big cage in the living room!)
We are still torn on his name: The DW really likes "Beau", but I really like "Snickers". I am really stuck on that name because I had a dream months ago that we got another chocolate named Snickers. Kinda spooky!
the DW and I are attending a pet loss therapy group this evening. I will let you all know how is goes.
-Dieter aka Lab (Labs? Lab 2.0?)
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colochoclab
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02/04/10 11:23am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
Although Hershey is doing great, I am not so good.
These sad feelings come and go. It's been 2 days since I sat with Hershey and cried. He seems so good, I just can;t believe he's sick.
I was lying on the floor feeling kinda low and Hershey came right over to me, nuzzled my head with his, "urf-urfed" a couple of times, and flopped down right next to me. He pressed his weight up against me and layed his head on my pillow. Almost as if he was saying "It's ok, dad." We ended up slooeping there together under a blanket for a couple of hours.
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/04/10 05:29am |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: An Unusual Decision (long)
Thanks for all the great tips! I feel more informed now and know what questions to ask.
Looking back on when we got Hershey 9 years ago, we were really dumb. Although we got him from a breeder and got to see the parents, we never saw what enviroment he was born into. (They met the DW and FIL at a paring lot in Colo. Springs.) Poor Hershey may have come from a puppy mill. :(
Side note, Hershey is still doing good! I have to make an appointment for a blood test follow up and to have his "staples" removed.
We are preparing for the little guy's arrival this Saturday. Got a crate set up in the house and is ready to go! (Feels like I'm adopting a child!)
-Dieter
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colochoclab
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02/03/10 08:28am |
RV Pet Stop
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