As some of you know, it's been a rough few months for our little mascots, Bicycle, 11 yrs, and Tiberius, almost 12 yrs...
In January, Bicycle ate part of a doormat and had to have it surgically removed. The mat was in his room to help him with traction, he had never eaten anything of the sort before, so it came as a great shock when he vomited one handful of the carpet that was affixed to the rubber mat. Bicycle has suffered different types of anxiety throughout his life and it is suspected that something caused him to become anxious before he ate the mat. To make a long story short, because of his previous health issues and his age, as well as his many, many sensitivities, he was a risky surgical candidate, but it was necessary because I knew there was more in him. Dr. Garcia, her staff, and I were all amazed at how much there was inside this old guy. About two large handfuls! I guess it was pretty smelly, too...blech! Surgery was very successful, without a single complication!
His recovery process has been long, but I am extremely happy to report he is fully recovered and moving forward to become a famous fundraising Monrovian who walked his first 5K at the Santa Anita Family YMCA and is training to walk the 7 mile Fountain to The Falls in May. He will be taking pledges for the walk and donating every penny raised to Bark For Life. Bicycle is a very blessed boy to have such a wonderful support system. A very special THANK YOU to Donna Baker, Family Dog and Cat Hospital, as well as Gus, Sweet Pea, & Sparky's parents for allowing me to change the schedule a bit. Look for Bicycle with his new "Donation Dog" gear...he likes Myrtle Ave. and Library Park. Bicycle will also be making an appearance with his brother, a cancer survivor, Brick Bogshepherd, at the 3rd Annual Bark For Life of Monrovia. The event is from 12noon to 4pm at Recreation Park, Monrovia. Stop on by to meet him!
As if that wasn't enough, Tye was diagnosed with diabetes in the Fall and has had an extremely tough time regulating his blood sugar levels with, at times, weekly vet visits. In January, he was seemingly gaining more control, but had a recent set back in February, causing him to lose some of his vision. And another more recent set back has taken most, if not all of his vision. Tye is a wonderful 12 year old boy (almost, his birthday is in April), who has been nothing less than a joy since birth...the most entertaining! So, with his diagnosis came weakness, which has drastically effected his desire for all his favorite activities, including playing with Bike. Tiberius has been a very strong dog, until recently, so it's tough on his family and friends to witness such drastic changes in behavior, vision, and activity. With great sadness, I am announcing his retirement from all Two Dogs Petsitting "work" (taking days trips, training puppies, walks in the park, events, etc.). Thank you all who have enjoyed his company and antics over the years, he definitely appreciates all the love and affection he receives from you, his extended family. I'm sure you will see and hear more from him, just in a different capacity. Who knows? Maybe he will write a book or become a senior model? To follow his daily non-adventures, you can find him on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ShrimpyDog.
To read about Bicycle's charities and his new charitable furiends>>>BikesBarks/Causes
UPDATE 3/8/11
A black mass with a red circle around it was noticed on Bicycle's chest a few days ago and it bleeds when it's touched, so I took him to see Dr. Robbins and she gave us two possibilities. A rare spider bite (not likely, but possible) or a really icky mass that should be removed and tested for malignancy. I opted to watch it and wait one week and if there are any changes in the meantime, I'll take him back in and have it removed. Hoping it's nothing, but want to be sure, so Big Bike might have a mass removal a few days before the Bark For Life and we'll find out the next week if it is malignant. Keep your paws crossed for my boy!
A black mass with a red circle around it was noticed on Bicycle's chest a few days ago and it bleeds when it's touched, so I took him to see Dr. Robbins and she gave us two possibilities. A rare spider bite (not likely, but possible) or a really icky mass that should be removed and tested for malignancy. I opted to watch it and wait one week and if there are any changes in the meantime, I'll take him back in and have it removed. Hoping it's nothing, but want to be sure, so Big Bike might have a mass removal a few days before the Bark For Life and we'll find out the next week if it is malignant. Keep your paws crossed for my boy!
Tiberius was also re-checked by Dr. Robbins, after a week of home testing his blood sugar and keeping good notes about his activities. His incidents of falling down and becoming disoriented have increased and have become more concerning. Based on his more regulated sugar levels, it is probably not related to diabetes. The other two things that could possibly cause him to have these "pupisodes" (pup episodes) are either heart or brain related...we think. So, the next step is to get a good video of Tye during one of these pupisodes, which sounds easier than it is proving to be. His doctors will review the video and decide what the next step should be. Possibly a neurological exam, mostly to find out if it is seizure activity or some other neurologic issue. Hurumph...poor Tye :-(
On a more personal note, I am finding the lines very fine on expenses I'm able & willing to incure for all of these vet visits. Also, since October of last year, it has become evident to me that I will not have Tiberius for as long as I planned (I thought he'd be around for at least 15 years) and the reality of that hits hard at times. When he is having difficulty finding his way around, falling down, seemingly disoriented, and depressed because he's not able to do the things he loves as often...well, it causes me to think about how much is too much for him to endure. And then he, with his cataract ridden eyes, looks at me and smiles like only Tye can and he sleeps upside down, and he cuddles into my arms at 5am (I used to hate that and now I hope it never ends), and he does the "dinner dance", and he squeaks his toy of the day.
On a more personal note, I am finding the lines very fine on expenses I'm able & willing to incure for all of these vet visits. Also, since October of last year, it has become evident to me that I will not have Tiberius for as long as I planned (I thought he'd be around for at least 15 years) and the reality of that hits hard at times. When he is having difficulty finding his way around, falling down, seemingly disoriented, and depressed because he's not able to do the things he loves as often...well, it causes me to think about how much is too much for him to endure. And then he, with his cataract ridden eyes, looks at me and smiles like only Tye can and he sleeps upside down, and he cuddles into my arms at 5am (I used to hate that and now I hope it never ends), and he does the "dinner dance", and he squeaks his toy of the day.
I tell myself every day that I will not ask either dog to do anything that will not improve the quality of their lives. Even after the recent happenings, they both have a great quality of life and still have their crazy personalities that entertain me endlessly. Family and friends ask me often what I can do and my answer is the same every time, "Love them with all my heart." That means, especially through the tough times. Bicycle and Tiberius have my whole heart and I will do what I can to keep them as healthy and happy as possible. They, in turn, keep me very happy :-)
