White Shepherd mom

Since losing Casper I have not been able to come into the "Rainbow Bridge" threads but when I saw Boof's name I just had to come and tell you how very sorry I am that he lost this huge battle. You both fought it so valiantly, although it is probably of little consolation to you right now. I hope that in time you will only remember the good and healthy times of this remarkable dog's life. Sending you big hugs Anne.

Best update EVER! I am so glad Danny is doing so well DD. He's given you enough stress already! Well done! Casper used to follow me around all the time too so when he wasn't with me, I'd panic and go looking for him. Not sure which one of us was more clingy!

I'm sorry for the delay in replying, DOL is my weekday guilty pleasure ;) It sounds like a Catch-22 situation, Danny has big meals at night because he is off colour in the mornings, which in turn probably causes him to be off colour in the mornings. I hope you can find a good balance for him. I'm sure a lot of people would like to have liquid meals in the morning followed by ice-cream in the afternoon! He's a lucky little guy and I know you would move Heaven and Earth to keep him happy and healthy. Take care.

The oldies really keeping us on our toes, don't they DD? I'm sorry you're going through this with Danny but he couldn't be with a better mum! I have not read your other threads regarding his health so I apologise if this question's been answered before. I'm curious as to how many meals Danny gets in the day? I was wondering whether doubling the frequency but halving the quantity might help his little gut digest?

That took more thinking than I've done in a while...but I got there!

I feel for you Darien, and everyone else who has been there. Both my dogs got ill fast at the end, they lay dying when the vet's final needle went in and I still had my husband say it was too soon. The hardest decisions I've EVER had to make in my life and I needed his strength and support but instead I had to justify this final act while having him put doubt in my mind. I am glad that you spoke to your husband and made him understand. I hope he supports you fully when the time comes to say goodbye to Kriska. Sending you big hugs for the heartache that is coming.

I am so sorry Huski, your poor mum. It's little consolation but at least she knows there's nothing she could have done. I hope you and your mum are ok. Micha was a lucky boy.

Casper used to get a walk come rain or shine. Going for a walk was his reason for living and a few drops of rain were not going to stop us. I used to love walking him in the rain as the park was quiet - it felt like we were the only two creatures around. When he was younger he did not wear anything but when he got older I thought it important to keep his joints dry and warm. He had a coat but got too hot in that so he wore his raincoat instead. I got him the largest size so it covered his bottom and his joints. He is in his wheelcart in this pic: I bought a waterproof jacket with a hood from Anaconda for me, one that was below bum length and a pair of water-proof hiking boots from Big W. I also wore a cap under the hood. Thank you for bringing back the memories.

Casper was 13 years and 3 days old when he passed away and you would not have known it. Apart from needing a wheelcart to walk in because of his advanced DM, I still had to walk fast to keep up with him. He tired faster so we would take a break half way through our walk and rest on the grass at the park so he could watch all the other dogs run around him. Bella was 11 and would have made a grand old dame had cancer not taken her from me. I love watching the oldies going for their walks. They'd rather walk in pain than not get out of the house at all. I also admire their owners for their patience and total love. I miss my oldies.

Put a piece of furniture on it and leave it there. One day you might find comfort knowing it's still there. My new theatre room carpet still has the faintest poo stain from a Casper accident. It's clean but has left a mark. I meant to tackle it again but after he passed away I'm happy it's there. It's so faint, only I know it's there!

Jazz was one tough little girl. With you by her side she fought all the way and lived longer than you expected and with you by her side she made her final journey in peace. She was lucky to have been your special girl. I'm about to start crying so I'll just say my heart breaks for you. Rest in Peace little Jazz. I hope you meet up with my angels.

I am sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis but pleased that he is still mobile after all this time. My dog Casper had DM for almost 4 years and was mobile (but incontinent) right till the end. Although your boy doesn't like water, I would still take him to a therapist. They will assess your boy and give you the right exercises for him. They may also have a harness that they recommend and may have one that you can try. Casper wan't a huge fan of water but he still did hydrotherapy every second week. I used the "help em up" harness on Casper. Thankfully I was able to borrow one from his therapist and could tell that I had to get him the special "boy" harness. Apparently most males can use the standard harness (as used by females) but if their penis is further back you need the special harness for boys. I did get boots for him and they would slip off and make him drag his feet even more. So we made our own plan. Before each walk, I would wrap his feet with vetwrap (just twice around) and then put 3 layers of cloth tape (heavy duty tape from Bunnings) over his toes (not on his fur). I would keep the vetwrap in place with a small strip of sports tape (from the pharmacy) There is no cure or treatment for DM but there are things you can do to keep your dog mobile for as long as possible. Exercise is your number one weapon. As much and as often as your dog can tolerate. Casper's therapist used to tell me off for exercising him as much as I did but it was nothing he couldn't handle and he lived longer than she expected. Also, keep him lean and take him for frequent vet visits to make sure he doesn't need treatment for arthritis or other mobility issues.

Cuddle greatfully accepted. Thank you Jake

Naughty Feather, causing you stress so close to Christmas. I'm glad she's come out of it, if it was me I'd be taking her to another vet (preferably one who comes highly recommended) if it happens again. I hope it doesn't happen again though.

The first thing I've been doing when coming to work, is check in on the lovely Bella. Today there was a note saying she has been rehomed. I really hope she has found her rightful place and that she has a happy home for life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little upset for me even though I knew I was not going to be the one to give her that home. It has suddenly dawned on me that this will be a dogless Christmas and it's a very depressing thought. Thank you everyone for being so supportive. You are definitely a bunch of doggy enablers! I think we'd all have a dozen of them if we could :) Merry Christmas everyone. Please give your dogs an extra cuddle from me.

I only have the husband now, he's a really nice husband but it takes a dog (or two) to make my life more complete. You guys 'get' me! I know this Bella is not my Bella but by golly she just has something about her... On the weekend we drove past a BMW dealer, hubby wanted to wander through, he saw 'the' car he's always wanted (but can't have :)). Everytime he mentions it, I mention the dog! He should know not to mess with me :p

I have not stopped thinking of the "other" Bella since seeing her on the petrescue site. If it were my decision alone, I would have gone to get her already and she would be spending Christmas with a new family. Unfortunately my OH does not want another dog right now, apparently I get too focussed on my dogs to the detriment of my human relationships. I don't really believe my human relationships have improved since losing my dogs but that's just between you and me . I knew you would all be supportive though, you're too cool :). I hope this beautiful girl finds a family who will take care of her and love her like she deserves.

Casper's back legs would shake a lot as his Degenerative Myelopathy progressed. It didn't seem to bother him. I would massage and manipulate them, sometimes it worked, mostly it didn't. Different dogs have different reactions to the phenobarb. Casper was on anti-seizure meds since the age of 3 as he was epileptic. They initially affected his balance a fair bit until he got used to them. I hope whatever you try next works for your girl.

My beautiful girl, Bella, passed away almost 2 years ago at the age of 11 from cancer. We got Bella from the RSPCA in Sydney when she was 8 months old. She hated cats, dogs that weren't bigger than her, children, men in hats, men with beards... When she first came to live with us, she would hide from the world by squeezing behind the couch (that's when she wasn't eating or playing with Casper). My hubby and I would take it in turns to sit on the couch and pat her and talk to her. Before long she was a confident, happy girl who just made our family complete for the next 10 years. Naturally I was devastated when she passed away. This was Bella at age 11 Yesterday I was looking through Petrescue, out of curiosity more than anything else and came across this: Pet rescue link If this dog was 1 year younger, I'd be convinced it's my girl. My husband sees it too. Do you see it? eta: you need to click on Bella's photo to enlarge it...then you can see what I'm talking about more clearly

I should have heeded your warning for the flood gates have opened (and I'm at work ) I have two sleeping dogs in my heart, the one wakes up often for he only just went to sleep 3 months ago. The other one sleeps a little more nowadays. She's been asleep almost 2 years. Sometimes they both wake up together and your post has done that. As tikira said, I welcome the tears because that's when I know my dogs are still with me.

Sam used to do Casper's treadmill sessions. She is also the angel who helped both my dogs on their final journeys and I am forever grateful to her for that. I used to take time off work to see Clive. I'd be there for a 9am appointment and work in the time when I got back to work (1-2 lunch breaks usually covered that!)

Clive Lamond at Ocean Reef Vet (in Heathridge). He saved Casper's life a couple of times with his experience and knowledge. He found a lump in Casper's abdomen by feel and diagnosed Degenerative Myelopathy within a couple of minutes. His vet nurses are fantastic and caring as well. On Casper's unexpected last day, they let me stay in their backup consulting room as long as I needed with Casper. I stayed around 7 hours holding my boy before being strong enough to let him go. The only downside is that he only works in the mornings. There are other vets there but as I insisted on only seeing Clive, I cannot comment on the others though I've heard that Jeannine is very good and has been with the surgery for a very long time.

This has brought back bad memories of the spread of Bella's haemangiosarcoma. The whole experience is a roller coaster of emotions, from depression and disbelief when getting the initial diagnosis, to elation when the treatment appears to be working, to devastation when you realise there's nothing more you can do. The only silver lining is knowing that this is not a painful cancer. I read your update with tears brimming. I am so sorry you have reached this stage but I'm glad that Jazzy seems clueless as to what's happening. Think only good thoughts while she's still around, there will be time to grieve later. Big hugs to you, your family and of course Jazzy. She's a remarkable young lady.

I took Casper to Deb once. I didn't really like her too much. I took him to Carmel Keylock at Active Pet Rehabilitation for 3 years. Active Pet Rehab

Have always loved Black & Tan GSD's...after owning a White one though, there's just no going back!