Dog Training & Health

[meezermom]

My dear Raina went home last Tuesday and is now safe and well at the Bridge with Tasha. Raina was our little solid black GSD who stepped up to try and fill Tasha's very big footprints as alpha pack leader when Tasha went home. She did her very best and had a great deal to handle with Willow but she did it well. Willow is a bit the village person! Raina developed a neurological issue and after a point we realized there was nothing that would help her. She lost control of her bodily functions as well as muscular control. She also developed some mental issues that became a serious issue and it was decided it was best to let her go home where she would be safe and happy... Still, my pack is no more now and I have just a pair of shepherds now. Where there was once four, there are now only two and the silence is great. Sleep well little girl and know you are missed..

[Dobestud]

Oh Meezer, I am truly so sorry. So much heartache is such a short time. You can take solace in the fact that Tasha and Raina are together once again. You have my deepest condolences over your great loss.

Sleep peacefully Raina. <3

[meezermom]

Thanks for the kind thoughts and words. I didn't realize how much stress her illness was causing though. Skylar and Willow have calmed down a great deal since she went home. Apparently things were not good at all and they were picking up on it and I didn't. She must have been pretty miserable but at least she is at peace now.

[Dobestud]

I would imagine it must have been tough for all the dogs. I'm happy to hear how well Skylar and Willow are doing. How are you doing?

[meezermom]

Hanging in there is the best I can do right now. Raina's passing came at a bad time for everyone...I had to see the dr two days after her death and it looks like an old friend may be back. Will be going in for surgery on the 24th and won't know anything until afterwards. The dr seems quite concerned this time though and no positive words or thoughts or anything. Just go in and remove the masses ( yes, plural) and find out what they are. Seems like I cannot get through a new year at all now.... It is very quiet around the house since Raina went home too. Amazing how much noise such a small girl could make but she was actually fairly noisy! It helps to know she isn't hurting anymore though.....

[HeatherMack]

Meezer, I am so, so sorry for you sad loss. I know this is late, I haven't popped in for a while and am only just seeing the bad news. My deepest sympathies.
Rest in peace, sweet Raina. Poor girl.

Have you been in for surgery? Are you doing okay? My heart goes out to you. Sending you my love and best wishes. xx

[meezermom]

What makes it easier is knowing Raina is better now. Things were so bad for her there at the end. And it was really affecting everything and everyone. Skylar and Willow were so tense and fearful of her and no one quite knew how to act around her. For the most part, I was the only one who was safe. But she was getting to the point where she would turn on anyone and that was when we decided there was a major brain issue.

I was scheduled to go in for surgery last week for another round of possible BC and it turned out to be a miss!! Yippee! I got lucky for once! The doctor said I should buy a lottery ticket as it was definitely my lucky day as when they did the original testing, there was pretty much no doubt it was cancer but something changed. I however am glad. I am so tired of being cut up....Starting to look like a patchwork quilt.

How are your kids doing??

[HeatherMack]

What makes it easier is knowing Raina is better now. Things were so bad for her there at the end. And it was really affecting everything and everyone. Skylar and Willow were so tense and fearful of her and no one quite knew how to act around her. For the most part, I was the only one who was safe. But she was getting to the point where she would turn on anyone and that was when we decided there was a major brain issue.

I was scheduled to go in for surgery last week for another round of possible BC and it turned out to be a miss!! Yippee! I got lucky for once! The doctor said I should buy a lottery ticket as it was definitely my lucky day as when they did the original testing, there was pretty much no doubt it was cancer but something changed. I however am glad. I am so tired of being cut up....Starting to look like a patchwork quilt.

How are your kids doing??

That is such wonderful news, about your good luck there. Thank goodness for that. You were definitely due some!

Tara isn't doing too good at the moment. She was doing fine, but over the last couple of weeks her DM has started to kick in worse. She can still walk, but she's wobbly and struggling, and she's been losing control of her bowels. She's breaking my heart.
Frankie is doing fine. It'll be his gotcha-day next week, Five years... Jeesh, I must be mad, .
I'm going to have to start walking them separately, because at the moment Tara's getting too much and Frankie's not getting enough. It's going to be really hard. They love their walks together, I don't know how I'm going to manage taking one out and leaving the other behind, they'll be gutted.

Sorry to blah-blah on Raina's thread here. Poor Raina. But you're right, of course: She's free of it all now. I'm glad she had you guys to love her unconditionally and keep her safe for always. It must be a weight off your shoulders, not having to worry about her anymore. But still, it hurts so much to say goodbye. My love to Willow and Skyler xxx

[meezermom]

This is grievous news about Tara. This does means the nerves are dying in her bowel and not at all good. Both Tasha and Raina had that near the end and it just broke my heart. Knowing the nobility of our dogs, they were so upset about it and you could see the distress it gave them. Raina reached the point that she didn't want to be inside because she could not control herself at all. However hard it is, it is time now to start separating the two. Give Tara short walks by herself and Frankie long ones on his own. Separating them now is going to make the coming separation a bit easier. Watch Frankie as he will help signal when things are really bad for her. Man I just hate this disease. Build your memories now as there is no way to know what her schedule will be....I will hope she has a lot more time and can truly enjoy the spring. Glad Frankie is doing so well!!!