Mischief Monday - Is My Heart Too Big - by Styx

 Hi friends, hi friends, hi friends,

Last Tuesday was a horrible, horrible, horrible day for your friend Styxy. First my people gave me medication that made me feel very funny. I felt sooooo funny. I could eat and everything, but man, the world was different. 

Then they shoved me in a crate and drove for 87 years (about 1.5 hours) and took me to a very scary, scary, scary place. Then I go to be in a room but they wouldn't let me climb. Then they took me from my people and shaved my fur. 

I have a hole on each side!

Then after the test, I got to wait in the room with my people, and I hid behind my Lady. Hid, hid, hid. Dr. Whipp may be a very nice person, but I am not a fan.

Look at all the fur I put on her

So the short story is I have a grade 3 heart murmur. I had something called an echo to look at my heart.  Dr. Whipp said the findings were a bit inclusive. My heart is not pumping blood the right way, but it could be something called HCM or it could be I have a very, very special valve. In the end, it doesn't matter for treatment, because in both cases I have to take something called a Beta Blocker for the rest of my life. I also have to see Dr. Whipp again in 3 months and then about once a year. Maybe with time, we will understand more about my "prognosis" whatever that means. In the end, the concern is my heart will get too big. I already thought I had a very big heart., the biggest heart. I can't imagine it could get bigger and if it could, would that really be a problem?

On the way home, in my feeling funny state, Lady took me to the pet store. We needed more food and I needed something called a pill pocket. The ladies at the pet store loved me, and I got lots of good attention. The first pill pockets Lady bought, none of us will eat. They are yucky, yucky, yucky. Lady has since gotten better ones, so I can easily take my pill. 

For now I feel good and we will see.

Thank you all for your POTP. It meant a lot.

your friend Styxy, who may have a too big heart

From the Lady: When people ask me how Styx is my answer is he is both ok (because he is not showing symptoms) and not ok (because he does have a heart problem). We are prepared for wherever this journey takes us.  A friend said, I have bad luck with pets (immune disorder, brain injury, neurological issues etc.) and I said I look at it as the animals who find their way to use have very good luck because we can support them with their journeys. 

Mischief Monday - Patiently Waiting - by Phod

 Dear pals,

Last week we talked a lot about the conditions at the pet sitter's and how hard that was. Maybe it was an ok place to be, but it was definitely not home. And I will give our sitter credit, she did not make the most horrible things happen, like going to the vet. We were hardly home when our people loaded us into the car and took us for our Librela shots.  Apparently we were a week late. 

Because we both have to go, Lady has been making us evening appointments so we can all go, as she says 1:1 is easier.

The night we were there was busy and we had to sit in different spots. 

This gave me the opportunity to explore some, while I waited and waited and waited for my turn.

I have never sat over here before:

What do you mean I can't hide in the bathroom, while I wait?

I may have opened the door

Why are Man and Lee way, way, way over there?

Finally, we are all sitting together.

Hmmm, I sure smells good over here. 

After waiting 87 million hours (probably 20 minutes), it was our turn. There was a bit of a mix up because they hadn't book Lee in for her shot, but they were happy to give it to her. They warmed it up for her and she seemed happier with it.

While the process of this is sucky, and we don't like going, Lady reminds us we are the lucky ones who have really good outcomes on it. It is helping us live the best golden years possible. 

Apparently, we are due again this week (the time has gone by so fast). I hope it isn't too snowy.

Your pal, Phod who isn't in much pain 

Dear Vet

Dear Vet,

Lady says you are a nice person but I don't think I agree. You said my ears were filthy. They were so dirty, you had to test them to make sure they weren't infected. You told my people to clean my ears daily.

I have not made this chore easy.I have screamed, I have fought, I pulled. They kept doing it (but only every other day because I was bad enough I made it terrible for them). 

One of my ears is clean and the other is getting better. I have gotten slightly less resistant to this. 

I am not happy with this recommendation. 

I do not think we will be friends.

Not your pal, Hailey

Mischief Monday - It Shouldn't be Like Cheers

 Dear pals,

Lady was telling me about this old TV show called Cheers, where in the theme song they said "where everyone knows your name" and when the character named Norm walked in everyone would yell "Norm."

I have been to the vet so often lately, when I walked in on Friday they said "Zah-phod". They didn't say it right,  but they did know me. Lady gently said "Zayphod" and they laughed and said someday they would get it right. 

The sting of being famous at a vet clinic was taken out a bit when some other client went on about how beautiful I was.

Anyway, I got my old man Librela shot Friday and hopefully don't have to go back for a full month for my next one and my annual check up. Maybe they will forget who I am. 

Your pal, who doesn't like everyone at the vet knowing his name Zaphod

The Itch Update - By Phod

 Dear pals, 

I had the most terrible appointment at the V-E-T.

I am not impressed

First, I had to go in the Man's scary car. I have never been in it before. The seats aren't as wide and I didn't like it. Then the vet poked all my itchy spots and even worse made my lay on my back so she could inspect my undercarriage.

What she determined is that I have a bacteria infection. She very insultingly said it is because I am old and can't shake properly after a swim and I lay down a lot. Even worse she said no lake unless I have a bath after and am completely dried (like blowdried, dried). 

While we await the culture results, I am taking an antibiotic twice a day (it is actually not too terrible tasting and Lee seems jealous I am getting it) and I need to have my itchy spots treated with foam. It is rather personal where some of the infection is and I am not sure Lady should be poking around there. We have found a way to do this standing up, which I like a little better. 

Also, my floppy ear is infected. So both ears need a cleaning every other day and the infected one needs meds in it. 

At any rate, this is not the best days of my life. I go for a follow up in about 2 weeks. 

If you have some POTP for a quick recovery, your old pal could use it.

Your itch pal, Zaphod

The Shot - by Phod

 Dear pals,

Last Friday I had to go to the vet for my librela shot. I do not like this monthly trip. First, I didn't get breakfast, so I couldn't throw up in Lady's car to show her how displeased I was. (I did throw up a little when I got home, out of the car). Then I saw a dog across the parking lot who did not seem friendly (he was in a room by the time I got inside, Lady took her time going in). Then they commented on my weight (I lost a few pounds). Then they discussed my poop eating (hello, private information here!) Finally the tech gave me my shot and Lady did at least make sure it was in my front leg, I do prefer that.

Not here again

Now I may not like the process of this, but there is no denying this is a miracle for me. Apparently if you block my pain receptors, I can feel more puppy like and really want to play. Lady knows there is some controversy about this medication (what medication doesn't come with some), but says she is extremely grateful it is able to help her old Phod live his best golden years. 

Put the phone down and let's play! 

your pal, Zaphod 

Trouble on Tuesday - By Zaphod

 Dear pals,

Hailey shared the troubles on Saturday, but let me tell you, Friday was not a great day either.

First, both my people left for the day. Then the power went out (which was unexpected because it was sunny before the snow came in that evening). I was home alone with no power. I was sure we were going to die.

Lady got home around 1:30. She took us out and then she said I had to go to the vet.

Lee got a second greenie and I resisted getting into the car. Lady and I had a bit of a physical encounter as she tried to lift the 80 lbs of me up as I clung to the ground. She laughed and laughed. Eventually I got in the car. Don't worry, I showed my displeasure by vomiting a lot in the car, and making sure it missed all the covers she had for easy clean up. 

We arrived at the clinic and after checking so much peemail, I went inside and waited for 87 million years. I was terrified. I wasn't even interested in the 2 other dogs I saw. 

Finally, it was my turn and I got my Librela shot. The tech started by saying "I don't know how to say his name." Lady said it and explained the origins. I was very good for my shot. Lady booked my next appointment, because these shots are being a game changer for me, paid and we left.

When we got home, the power was back. Lee gave me a good sniff, I had a good roll and then I had a huge nap. 

Next month Man is taking me. We will see how that goes.

PS: The fix to the Man's car was $10. 

your pal Zaphod, who doesn't know if I should trust people who can't say my name and says getting old is not for the faint of heart

Two Dogs - Two Vet Clinics - One Day

 Yesterday was a very busy, pre-planned vet day for us.

First up was Hailey's second follow up with the neurologist. After a good poop on the floor, Hailey went with the assistant for her exam. Her neurologist came back to say everything looks ok. She is less tippy, her eyes aren't doing the flutter thing they were at first meeting. Her head tilt is still there and may be there forever, or may get better over time. She has put on 1.1kg but that is likely do to all the eating thanks to the steroids. It appears all of this was just old dog vestibular disease that for some unknown reason needed some help from steroids to clear up.

Hopefully now that she is off steroids the hair on her head will grow back!

She does have some little tweak in her back and a slow response in her right back paw. We are not exploring this further as it doesn't seem to cause much pain and realistically, we won't be doing spinal surgery (which is likely what would be required).

The neruology clinic is in a neat round building

The neurologist asked us to let her know how she does and said while she really enjoyed meeting us, she hopes to not see us again. I told her the feeling was mutual. So we left with as clean a bill of heath as we could and this 2 month odyssey is over. 

Yesterday also happened to be the day Phod got his monthly arthritis shot. My terrified boy was very friendly with a new dog. He waited patiently and accepted the shot right in the lobby because they were super busy and didn't want us to wait any longer. He didn't enjoy waiting to pay.

I thought this was very cute, a list of all of the day's patients. 

Beau and his Lady had asked if we had tried anti-nausea drugs for Phod before, as going in the car is hard for him. Yes, we have tried all the things and no matter what we give him, if he eats, he vomits. I am happy to report that he had breakfast around 7 am, and was able to go into the car at 6 pm without vomiting today. He was happy to have a late dinner.

As these shots are so helpful, we will go back next month and will continue to do so until they aren't helpful anymore.

Yesterday I spent 3 hours in the car and 1 hour in vet clinics yesterday and she is honestly grateful to be able to provide this level of care to us both. 

Mischief Monday - Back Update and Vet - by Lee

Dear pals,

Thanks for all your inquiries about how my back is doing. It has been good and it has been bad. On Friday, after it seemed to get bad again, Lady reached out to our vet. It was this reaching out that she found out that as of the end of the day today, I no longer have a vet. My clinic is closing, moving (this she knew) and becoming an emergency vet only (she hasn't read the email yet so was missing that information). My vet and Lady's friend is supposed to be moving to another clinic, but it is very far. He did say that they said he can bring his long standing clients (Lady thinks this is her because she did text him on his personal phone, he called her from it - they have been friends for 29 years after all). Man's preference is to move us to a clinic that is much closer (20 minute drive instead of an hour 20 minutes). We will have to see where we end up as so many vets aren't taking new clients here. It is a bit sad, not just because we may be losing a vet we trust so much, but so many memories are tied up in that clinic. 3/4 of Lady's angels crossed the bridge there (Baggy went peacefully in his sleep at home). Angel Loki was always so excited to be there, he apparently peed on the floor with excitement, every time. This is an enthusiasm none of the rest of us have shared, and it was good he had it because in the last year of his life he was there at least every 2 weeks. Staff Lady has never met, knew who she was, even still, because of Loki (it has been nearly 13 years). It was familiar and now we will change. 

I have decided I love the electric blanket from the old cottage that was Lady's grandparents. 

Now back to me. After Lady's shock of not having a vet (Phod and I may have happy danced), they got to my issues and he decided to put me on Metacam. This is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory that apparently helps with pain too. It is liquid and doesn't taste bad. Lady and Man made a special trip to the clinic, for the last time, on Saturday to get it. When they got home, I was full of beans and jumping etc. Clearly I have different ideas about strict rest then my vet. 

A picture from a rare sunny day a few weeks ago

So that is where we are friends. I am not doing as much jumping up (on people or furniture) and I don't want to do the stairs to the basement, but most of the time, I seem fine. I am a little mad that I don't get to go snowshoeing with Phod and Lady, but the I remember I don't like snow touching my stomach.

Back to the warm blanket I go - your pal Lee

A Terrible Day - By Phod

 Dear pals,

Yesterday it was my turn to have a terrible day. Last Wednesday I was so sad and stressed when Hailey was gone for the day and I was alone. I was sure she had done something fun. Turns out I was wrong. She went to the vet for torture.

Giving my Lady the stare down after I got home

It started with no breakfast. Then I had to throw up in Lady's car. Then the Lady left me for 87 million hours. I tried to escape and chewed my leash (while alone with my vet, that will show him). The clinic offered me a replacement but Lady said we have lots at home, and she only needed one to get me to the car. So my tech helped escort me back out. 

My broken leash, while I drink my body weight in water

Lady hasn't talked to the vet, but the tech said other than the leash incident, I was a very good boy. I didn't have to have any teeth pulled. I had lump under my front leg that the vet also checked and it is just fat. 

In the morning before I was dumped

Hailey came home angry and growled. Lady says I have come home whiney and am a little out of sorts but seen more comfortable and alert than Lee did.

I expect tomorrow I will be back to my regular self and I really hope no more torture is in my future.

Hope you are having a better week than me,

a very sad and tired Phod

Tooth Be Gone - By Lee

Dear pals,

Lady is having to help me write this as I am still very much under the influence of the drugs I got today.  After 5 months of waiting and one delayed appointment (thanks Covid), I had my dental work done.

Resting at home after

The vet said I did great. My blood work before the procedure all looked great, especially for my age. My dental X-ray showed a little bone loss, but for the most part everything looked great. One of my little front teeth was a little loose so my vet removed it. I also had a little common growth on my neck that was getting bigger. I can't remember the name of what it was (it didn't seem important), but it is nothing serious, my vet removed it and in 14 days, Lady or Man need to pull a stitch out. They also cut my nails. 

Being returned to Lady

It was a terrible day, and I am very, very mad at Lady for taking me. I am sort of growly at her, but not so growly at the Man. I am not in pain, I just don't feel good and I am not that hungry. I may be feeling a little sick to my stomach

Anyway, Lady says I am going to be fine. Phod wants to say he also had a terrible day, worrying about me. He did not like being left at home. Lady tells him next Wednesday is his turn. 

That is a little personal Phod

I have to go lie down and complain some more and make my Lady feel terrible for providing me the best medical care she can.

an angry and stoned Lee

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Also, please send some love to Aunt C and her family because yesterday, their beloved cat Panda went to the bridge.  Panda was a very affectionate cat and very much like our angel Nin. You would take her off your lap multiple times and then realize she was there again! She will be greatly missed. 

Trouble On A Tuesday - Check Up Time

It was an overcast Tuesday and we were just minding our own business when the Mand and Lady said it was time to go to the car to the V-E-T.

Reluctantly we got in the car and drove the hour to the clinic (yes there are clinics closer, but none have our friend and vet Woody. When he retires, we are moving to a closer clinic).

Phod showed his displeasure by throwing up. 

When we got there, we had to wait in the lobby. It was quiet while we were there. 

On the way to the room they stopped to weigh us. We have both put on a little weight. Hailey is 22 kg or 48.5 lbs and Phod is 37 kg or 81.5 lbs.

Once in the exam room we sniffed around a bit. We passed a cat on the way in and Phod just sniffed it, Lee didn't notice.

We were both cooperative with the exam, even though we were very, very nervous.

For our ages, which Woody couldn't believe, he thought Lee was 9 and not almost 13,  we are both in great shape.

While we seem to be eating less (might have to watch the treats), we have put on weight. This is good because it rules out a lot of possible old age diseases. Our eyes are showing age and we both will need a dental cleaning in the fall (no rush, just expected build up for our senior years), all is good! (Hailey has never had her teeth cleaned. Phod did once when he had a chipped tooth removed).

Let's blow this Popsicle stand!

Lady was very happy to hear we are doing so well in our golden years. We are not happy to have to go back before the year is up. 

It was very tiring. 

Some of us may have had a hard time staying awake on the way home. 

Mischief Monday - A Miserable Day -Proof No Good Came of a Thursday- by Phod

 Dear pals,

I have the most terrible story to tell. On May 25 Man and Lady discovered I had what looked like a small cut on my back leg. They remember the day because Callie and her kids were over getting water as our power was still out from the derecho, and they saw a little blood on the floor and at first couldn't figure out which dog it was from. It seemed small and they cleaned it up and sort of 'forgot it'.

Lady and Man covered it before taking me in so I wouldn't bleed everywhere

Fast forward to June 5th when Lady and Man notice it is bleeding all over the place again. They closely monitored it and on June 7th, texted our vet the following picture and asked what he thought. What Woody thought was he had to see me. He booked me an appointment for Thursday.

Close up of my sore

Thursday, Lady put me in the car and took me to the vet. To show my displeasure I threw up a lot in her car. 

The vomit comet (the nickname of the last bus out of the city downtown on the weekend) arrives at the clinic

At the vet I was a very nervous, but good boy. Everyone said I was beautiful (I prefer handsome), tried to offer me treats (which I wouldn't take), and pet me (which I very much liked). 

While waiting I watched the cars go by on the highway and drooled a lot

Woody gave my leg a very good exam and decided somehow I had some extra skin (callous or skin tag) that due to the location had 'cracked'. It is possible the crack was from 'trauma' (meaning just the normal use an old guy like me may have) or from a foreign body.  While surgery could be an option, given the location it is highly risky (not to mention my age), he recommended a less invasive treatment - I got given an antibiotic in case it had a foreign cause and a topical cream (now to get the peeps to remember it 3 times a day!)

Now if this wasn't enough, Lady had Woody swab my ears as they have been a problem again. Well it turns out I have a yeast infection in them. I had a treatment at the vet that made me yelp and have to go back on the expensive allergy pills. 

Waiting to leave as Lady and Woody finish the chat about me and move on to what his kids are up to.  Lady met Woody 28 years ago, before she had any pets, as she nannied his kids while going to University.

Now for the worst part - because of my ears, I am not allowed to go swimming. Woody said I can only go in the lake if I can keep my head out of it. So no swimming for now. I am very sad about this. 

Anyway, it was a rather terrible day and it did give proof to Lady's belief that no good came of a Thursday or her new thing it was a tra-jeudi (jeudi being French for Thursday and when you say 'tra' in front of it is sounds like tragedy).

Your very good but sad pal Phod

Trouble on Tuesday - Annual Check Up

 Phod is in blue.  Lee is in pink. The editor is black.

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My people took us on the stupidest adventure. They tried to make it all exciting, but it was not fun like the trip to Grammie's the day before.

It was terrible. I threw up all over the car. 

At least this time you didn't throw up in me.

We broke sooooo many rules when we got there. First, the Man took us out of the car early (this was to empty everyone before we went in and to clean the car). Then the clinic let both the humans in when the rule says one.

Next I had to stand on the scary thing that says I weigh 79lbs.

I sat nicely, I am about 44lbs.

Then there was a lot of touching and a needle and things in my ear and a lot of talk about how I don't always eat my breakfast, and my ears and my golden years. There was talk about a new medicine I need to take for allergies. They were our so Lady will go back to get some. She says I don't have to go.

Phod seemed stressed so I kept checking on him. I a.so kept checking to see if the door was open.

Then the worst thing happened. They took me out of the room.

I got concerned when he left. However, I didn't have to go to the back because even though I am older, my vet says he has no concerns about me. I am all muscle. I do have a bit of a sensitive spot in my back, likely due to age but since it doesn't bother me much, we can ignore. It was the same as last year. Woody said if my peeps said I was coping ok, I can say off Prozac. It is up to them. Lady and Man sort of disagree about this. Lady worries less when I take it. Maybe she needs it more than me.

I came back with bandages on both legs. Lady and Man kept talking. So Woody took them off. 

Finally we were done and got to leave. As I only got 1 cookie (I got a lot) I only threw up a little. We were both so happy to be home.

I was very happy to leave. Being home is much better. 

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Our vet is not concerned about Phod. He still is looking good. We decided to do the first senior blood panel just to get a baseline. Phod had a rough start to life (we don't know his history but he was only about 40-45 lbs when he was found around 1.5 years of age) and as a Shepherd mix is getting old. He is about 10. I have never had a senior dog, so want to make sure he has the best golden years. If something minor shows up, we may be able to do something now. Angel Gheera had an elevated kidney issue at 15 and a change of food gave him another 4 pain free, healthy years.  Overall, they did really well and weren't embarrassing, which isn't always the case. However, we don't always usually go. It is usually just me and one dog.