Sad news and happier news

[Janet_T]

A few people on the list may remember my posts about my furkids Max and Willy in Nebraska during the mid-1990s. Willy went to Rainbow Bridge on Aug. 22, 2007. Max followed last week. Here is Max's story, with a followup on our newest family member, Jack.

 
THE SAD PART

Right after the holidays I noticed that Max had a lump near his rectal opening that seemed to be growing, and I took him to the vet at the animal clinic in Elkhorn (a young woman named Dr. Koppel) on Monday, Jan. 5. He'd had anal gland problems in the past, and I was hoping upon hope that he just needed to have his butt squeezed out or have the fluid drained out with a syringe. Dr. Koppel examined the lump, which was a little smaller than a hen's egg and quite firm to the touch, more like a solid mass than a cyst. She took a needle biopsy and said it was either an adenoma or an adenocarcinomia. In either case the tumor would block Max's digestive tract unless it was surgically removed. They couldn't do the surgery in Elkhorn, so Dr. Koppel referred me to a veterinary surgeon here in Omaha. The soonest they could get us in for a surgical consultation would have been Monday, Jan. 12. I made the appointment, but a couple of days later I could see that Max was going downhill rapidly. He was getting weaker, having more and more trouble passing stools, and seemed uncomfortable walking around. He slept for most of the day on his pillow in my office. Every time he came in from outside, I had to haul him into the bathtub and wash his butt. (Diarrhea on a long-haired dachshund is not a pretty picture.) He'd had diarrhea off and on for some time (along with some really foul-smelling farts), and I attributed it to an aging digestive system. He still had a hearty appetite. Max was patient about all the butt-washing, but I felt bad to make him go through that. I thought about the prospect of putting a 14-year-old dog through the trauma of rectal surgery and I decided it was a bad idea. At best, it might have allowed him to survive for a few more months, and for what purpose? I cancelled the appointment for the surgical consultation. On Thursday evening I had a long phone conversation with Dr. Koppel about how to help Max feel comfortable and when to bring him in for euthanization. She told me that panting is a sign of pain. He wasn't panting, but he seemed listless. Friday morning I let Max out in the yard and noticed that he was straining and straining to poop. I went over and looked at the ground, and I saw that nothing had come out. Uh-oh. Then I brought him into the house, and he was shivering even before I put him in the bathtub. I gently pressed on his abdomen to see if his digestive tract was blocked, and he winced and whipped his head around without actually snapping at me. Clearly he was hurting inside. 

As it turned out, my mom's dachshund Buddy had to go the vet on Friday because HIS anal glands were infected and impacted. I made the appointment for Buddy, and then I looked at Max and decided that I didn't want to make him go through another weekend of suffering. I made an appointment to bring him in with Buddy. My mom and Philip (my 10-year-old son) went with us, and we left for the appointment a few minutes after I brought Phil home from school on Friday afternoon.

Dr. Koppel was absolutely wonderful. She was so gentle with Max, and she told us exactly what to expect. She put a catheter into his forepaw so he wouldn't have to feel a needle go in when she gave him the drug. She told us that he would receive an overdose of anesthesia so that he would basically fall asleep and not wake up. Dr. Koppel brought in a soft blanket for Max to snuggle into, and I kept stroking him and telling him what a good dog he was. He died with his head resting on my forearm and my mouth at his ear telling him how much I loved him. It was a very gentle, peaceful way for him to go. Philip was with me through the whole thing, and we both cried. Mom was there for part of it, but she had to leave before the end because it reminded her too much of her dog Sophie's death.

Philip and I were in the examining room with Max for quite a while before he was euthanized. Max gave me lots of kisses during that time, like he was saying "thank you and goodbye." I'm going to miss him so much. Tom used to tease me about Max's devotion. He said, "Max thinks you're his girlfriend." He followed me everywhere and was happiest when he was with me.

Dr. Koppel told me that in four days Max's tumor had grown to about three times the size it had been on Monday. I'm pretty sure it was cancerous because it grew at such a rapid rate. She said the part of the tumor that could be felt during the exam may have been just the tip of the iceberg--he could have had a bigger tumor or several other masses inside, pressing on his large intestine and interfering with his digestive process. We were lucky to have Max as long as we did (14 years), and he was such a trooper. Never got cranky, kept his sweet disposition until the end. Dr. Koppel gave me a hug when we left.


THE HAPPIER PART

Saturday evening Philip got home from his friend Jabin's birthday party and immediately wanted to go online to the Hearts United for Animals website (www.hua.org) to see if any dachshunds were available for adoption. We picked out three potential candidates based on age and history, and I filled out a preadoption application and sent it to Jenny at HUA via e-mail. She replied right away and told me a little bit about each dog's personality. One dog, Daphne, already had a potential adoptive family going through the application process, so she was out of the running. Jenny said, "When would you like to come in and meet the dogs?" HUA is open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day of the week except Wednesday. Of course Philip and I couldn't wait, so we talked with my husband Tom and decided that Philip and I could skip Mass on Sunday morning and go pick out a dog instead. Philip wanted to use all of his remaining Christmas money to help pay half of the adoption fee. (When I told him money was tight, he said, "I want to help!" and dumped all of his cash on my desk.) Philip really, really wanted another dog right away (so did I), and I didn't see any point in waiting for a set amount of time. I know we will always miss Max (as we miss Willy), but I also knew that having a new dog in the house would be good for Ralf (our red dapple dachsie who turned 2 years old in December) and would help us focus on the present and future while easing our sadness about losing Maxie.

Here are links to web pages for the two dogs we were considering for adoption:

http://www.hua.org/Dogs-For-Adoption/Stretch.html

http://www.hua.org/Dogs-For-Adoption/Dolph.html

Based on the pictures and profiles as well as the dogs' ages, Philip was leaning toward puppy Dolph, whom he wanted to rename Jack Black. Philip was given power over the final decision since he was paying half of the adoption donation. We went to HUA Sunday morning and Philip chose Dolph. Now he is home with us, learning about life in a house instead of a shelter. He is a quick learner!

Jack is only six months old and quite shy but very sweet. We introduced him to Ralf on neutral territory, on the sidewalk halfway between our house and Mom's house. Ralf sniffed him all over, wagging his tail the whole time. Neither one of the dogs barked or growled. Then we all walked home together. Jack seems to feel most secure sitting on a person's lap. Sunday evening Philip came into my office and said, "MOM! I just saw the cutest thing. I was throwing squeaky balls for Ralf, and Ralf took one of the balls and laid it in front of his little brother. He's going to be a GREAT big brother." On I brought one of my mom's dachshunds, Chelsy, over to meet Jack. The introduction went smoothly, and on Tuesday my mom brought Buddy over to meet the newest member of our extended family.

Jack is doing great. He was silent at first, but he rediscovered his bark on Tuesday. Now he's a member of the Tilden canine security force, alerting us to strange noises and potential danger (example: the sound of Tom walking past Philip's room Tuesday morning to use the first-floor bathroom). Jack's appetite came back Tuesday morning, and he wolfed down his food like a typical dachshund. No fussy eater here--he was ready to dive into Ralf's dish before I put his dish on the floor. Jack is a lively dog, and Ralf is in heaven to have a younger brother to play with. It is SO funny to watch Jack chasing Ralf around the backyard in the snow, because Jack is less than half Ralf's size. Ralf is built for comfort, while Jack is built for speed. At almost 19 pounds, Ralf is about 3 pounds over his ideal weight. Jack is about 8 and a half pounds and wiry, but he's still growing. My goal is to put some meat on Jack and take some flab off Ralf. Then each will be at a healthy weight.

I bought Jack a little navy sweatshirt and Petco that he can wear outside on these bitterly cold days. He waits patiently for me to put on his sweatshirt every time he goes outside. He is SO CUTE!!!!

'm almost afraid to tell you the most amazing thing about Jack because I'm superstitious that revealing this piece of news will jinx it. I have not had to clean up one puddle of pee or one piece of poop so far. That's right, no accidents in the house, even though this little guy has never lived in a house before! I don't know if he trained himself, is copying Ralf, or what. In any case, I'm grateful. It doesn't hurt that I work at home and am able to let the dogs out in the fenced-in backyard about every three hours.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Janet Tilden in Omaha, Nebraska

[cheryl186]

Janet, I was not on WW during the mid 1990's so I don't remember you....but...I just want to tell you how sorry I am about Max's passing.  He sure sounds like he was a very sweet boy and I am sorry I did not get to know him and Willy.  You gave Max much love in his lifetime and gave him dignity at the end.  You are a very loving doxie mom.  On the other hand, I am very happy that you found Jack and it is wonderful how well he gets along with his big brother Ralf and the other dogs.  Congratulations on your new baby boy!  He is beautiful

[Janet_T]

Thanks, Cheryl! I've been "owned" by dachshunds since March of 1994, and I wouldn't have it any other way.   Janet

[Madderoos Mom]

(Sniff) The SAD part of your story was simply heart breaking.  Mark came into the computer room to see what I was snuffling about.  Bless you for thinking of Max first and making his transition comfortable. 

The HAPPY part was just pure joy!  Jack sounds amazing and Dalf, indeed, sounds like the perfect big brother.  Wow!  I bet it's a riot at your house.  Thanks so much for sharing.  I hope you post often and tell us lots of Jack and Dalf stories. 

BTW, every year at Mark's work (he works for CA state), you can have a portion of your check slated for your favorite charity.  Last year, our contribution went to HUA.  They do an awesome job and give lots of dogs love that they never knew. 

[papbouv]

Hugs to you on loosing Max you were an outstanding Mom and Family to have Max until the age of 14 that is a very long time.
Glad to hear Jack is fitting in so well sure helps to have another not to replace Max that will never happen but get you though a rough time.
Papbouv

[Roberta]

Of course I remember, the sad part I can relate to and I agree about the new, I think Maxie would approve.
Love and cuddles to the wee one.
Roberta

[doxielady5569128]

I wasn't a member then either, but I am touched by your story.  That must have been so hard to lose your baby like that.   Congratulations on deciding to being home Jack, he's a handsome fellow. 

Porky Pie and I are from Nebraska too!   We live on the western side of the state.   

[AnnieofNJ]

The sad part of your post had me in tears.  I know that sorrow too well.  Godspeed Max-Angel.

The happy part of your post had me shedding tears of joy.  How wonderful for Jack to be in a loving forever home.  What a horrible start in life he had.  He is so handsome.  Smoochies to your new little boy.

Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

[JetEd73]

You lost Max in almost the same way that I lost my Simon-Angel.

http://www.wienerwritings.com/forum/index.php?topic=6229.0

You did the right thing by getting a rescue dog. I'm  99.99% sure that you'll be glad you did. Personally, I don't know anyone with a rescue that regrets getting one.

[MimisMomma]

Your story had me in tears!!! I am sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure that you will find some healing in your new additions!!!

I am here in Omaha as well, actually south in Plattsmouth. Nice to have someone close by!! Keep warm, -15 is not friendly to our babies.

Mel

[Janet_T]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad I could be there for Max, right up until the end.

[Janet_T]

Our other doxie, Ralf, also came to us by way of HUA. They are both fantastic dogs. My mom's dogs came to her by way of the Nebraska Humane Society, and she is devoted to them (and they to her!). I will only adopt shelter dogs from now on!

Janet

[Janet_T]

When we brought Jack home last Sunday, my husband said, "He's shivering when he goes outside! Go buy him a coat!" So I went out to Petco and got him a little sweatshirt. He waits for me to put on his sweatshirt before he goes outside, and it seems to help a lot. It protects his belly from the snow, too. Ralf has long hair and is not as bothered by the cold. I'm glad it's warming up a bit this weekend. :apls: