My Dog Life

I had to go to the vet this week. I hadn’t met our new Maryland vet yet so my mom took me in on Saturday to meet him. I’d never been there before and still, I didn’t want to go inside. I had to be carried in and then I hung out on my mom’s lap until we got called back. They weighed me, and ummm, I weigh 8.2 lbs. I weighed six when I was adopted two years ago. That’s a 2.2 lb weight gain. I felt a little embarrassed about it but the vet said I was a good weight, and not overweight so yay to a 2.2lb weight gain.

That’s me hiding in the corner waiting for the doctor to come check me out. You may know this already but I have a liver condition. Something to do with elevated ALT liver enzymes (yeah, I dunno either). I’ve undergone several diagnostic tests and lots of labwork to try to determine what exactly is wrong. The most educated guess is that I have low grade liver disease or hepatitis. Without an invasive liver biopsy — which my mom doesn’t want to do — we don’t know for sure what it is. So, I have been on a dietary supplement called Denamarin for the last year or so that helps support liver function. I’m supposed to get my bloodwork and something called a bile acid test done every 6-12 months. 

I was due for another bile acid test so we took care of that this week. My mom dropped me off at the vet before work on Wednesday — I was trembling and shaking like a leaf when we got there — and they performed the two-hour test on me. My grandpa, Papa Joe picked me up around 2 o’clock so I wouldn’t have to stay at the vet for my mom’s whole workday. Funny thing is my Papa Joe is not a dog person but he sure does like me…even if he won’t admit to it. This was definitely his first every vet visit.

The initial report from the vet was good, really good. My baseline bloodwork numbers were all within the normal range (yay!) and he wasn’t concerned. The Denamarin seemed to be working and he said to keep doing what we’ve been doing. But then he called today to say the results from my bile acid test weren’t good and showed that my liver is worsening. My mom almost cried. But the numbers are so far from where they were last time I was tested, it could be a lab error. What a rollercoaster. 

I’m being put on a second medication and also a liver friendly diet. I have to do another bile acid test in 3 months. My mom also has to monitor me closely to see how I’m doing, basically if I keep acting the same or worse. I must say, even with all this liver drama, I live a good life. I eat well, sleep well, play well and snuggle well. I do have off days and maybe that’s where those elevated enzymes come in. I’m gonna be okay, I’m sure of that. I have good people taking care of me and looking out for me. Let’s all hope and pray for better lab results in 3 months. In the meantime, I’m gonna keep on being me!

A few weeks ago Joey got to go to work with my mom for part of the day. Last week it was my turn! Here I am chillin’ in my carrier beside her desk. I behaved very well at the office and even slept in my mom’s lap while she worked. I was friendly to the other folks in the office too and mostly minded my own business. Maybe I’m ready for a job outside the home after all!

Life is ruff.

Last year I experienced a milestone in my life when I adopted a brother. This week I’m experiencing another big milestone: a foster sister. (!) My family helped save a dog this weekend and now she’s staying with us until she finds her forever home. Her name was Nadia but we’ve taken to calling her “Lady.” It suits her better. She’s from South Carolina where she was used for breeding and left to live outside year-round. She is only 9 lbs. Some people are really mean. She was dropped off at a high kill shelter but lucky for her, she was given a second chance by Annapolis Dog Rescue. My mom spotted her picture and story on facebook and signed us up to take her in.

My parents picked her up on Saturday evening. She came in a van loaded with about 60 dogs, all in crates, most of whom are puppies. Lady is 2-years-old. The van is driven all the way up the East Coast and meets rescue groups along the way who then pick up the dogs and find homes for them. Our group took 9 dogs. One puppy went directly to his new forever home and the others went to foster homes. I wasn’t there but I hear it was an amazing sight.

My parents brought Lady home and introduced Joey and me to her in our backyard. My tail started wagging the second I saw her and it was a very smooth introduction. Joey and me were pretty curious about her and we’ve been very welcoming so far. We even let her get in bed with us all, no problems. Joey thinks she’s his girlfriend if you know what I mean. After we had our backyard intro, Lady was brought inside for a bath (she was really dirty), given a meal and set up with a cozy crate. 

It’s only been a couple days but things are off to a great start. She’s a really easygoing dog and seems to like all of us (who wouldn’t?!) and we like her too…as long as she stays a guest and not a permanent resident around here. If you’d like more information about adopting Lady, visit her Petfinder.com profile*. 

*Lady begins her heartworm treatment this week.

My grandma Mary and niece Regan stopped by to visit me today so I could take them for a mid-day walk. Here I am at the neighborhood park.

Well, it happened. I got dragged to the dog groomer’s and they cut off my hairs again. I really had gotten too shaggy and on the few hot days we’ve had, I was panting through the heat. I only panted in San Francisco a few times ever. Besides the heat, I was getting all kinds of stuff caught up in my fur and it was just becoming a nuisance. We have a beautiful cherry blossom tree in our backyard that as beautiful as it is, has been dropping debris all over the deck and yard for weeks. My parents were getting a little tired of Joey and me bringing the outdoors in so they took us to get groomed.

The day started out innocently enough with a car ride — which I love — and a walk along a somewhat familiar sidewalk. But once I realized where I was, I put on the brakes and refused to move. My mom had to pick me up and carry me in. Poor Joey didn’t seem to remember the place and walked in on his own accord. Sucker. Somehow he lucked out though and all they did to him was cut his nails and trim around his business areas. I guess he hasn’t gotten as shaggy as me? Maybe I have more papillon in me than he does.

I did really great with the other dogs in the grooming shop and wasn’t afraid of them at all. There was some nice King Charles Cavaliers and a Corgi hanging out there. I do admit to trying to crawl underneath the gate and make an escape but I was caught before I could get out. So a full grooming is what I got. The grooming lady said I was a good boy but did not like having the clippers around my neck. But really, who likes that? Now I’m looking clean cut and pretty darn handsome if I do say so myself. As an added bonus (for my mom), I’m not bringing leaves, flowers, pollen strands, you name it from the yard when I come inside.

Now if only I could figure out a way to get this hair to stop growing so I don’t have to get groomed EVER again. Wish me luck on that. 

Getting a haircut tomorrow cuz I’ve been getting too hot in this East Coast heat. Oh and I also pick up pollen strands, tree buds and other floral debris in my fur every time I leave the house.

Today is my two year adopt-a-versary! It’s also my honorary 4th birthday. Four! I can hardly believe it was two years ago today that my parents brought me home from the San Francisco SPCA to my furever home. To celebrate my special day I sunbathed on the back deck in the afternoon (while my mom visited during her lunch break) and I got the special treat you see in the photos above. Joey even got one too. In true Happy fashion, I wasn’t much of a fan of the treat until I saw how much Joey was enjoying his. Another bonus adopt-a-versary “gift” is that my mom refrained from giving me the bath she swears I desperately need (I don’t need it). 

The last two years have been an incredible adventure. Milestones in the last year alone include adopting a brother, driving my family cross country, and moving to the East Coast where I now have my own fenced-in yard and I get to see my family on a regular basis. Life is good for this dog! 

Read my mom’s take on my adopt-a-versary over at Pawesome and take a walk down memory lane by revisiting my one year adopt-a-versary post from last year.  

Thanks for reading and joining me on this adventure.