September 2024 – Quality of Life

September 2024, when I lost my old horse this last March it was both just awful but also a little bit of a relief as there was no long suffering or end of life care. He just headed out. Poor Lodi found him and I really hope he never has to be the bearer of that kind of news again. Gar was literally considered “ancient” as a 34 years old horse so we weren’t shocked, just heart broken. Our two dogs are also well into their teens. Lodi’s dog Annie has been with him for 15 years and in late August she started favoring one of her hind legs.

I don’t doubt we probably didn’t notice right away as she is all of a senior citizen and totally has the stiffness and aches, pains and weariness you would expect. Not to mention she is also a Lab cross, a breed that is almost guaranteed to see hip dysplasia in later life.

We did a kind of “wait and see” over a couple of weeks hoping it was a sprain that could heal on its own. (Its not like our dogs are out doing sporting events lol)

Initially the vet thought she had probably torn her ACL and we were talking about surgery but then they looked at her ex rays.

Unfortunately Annie’s problem isn’t something that can heal or be corrected with surgery. Our vet sent Annie’s ex rays out to the University of MN radiology department and they confirmed that it is most likely bone cancer.

There aren’t a lot of options for Annie.

First thing we got her on is daily pain meds so she’s hurting less though her love of food and life in general never wavered.

We discussed taking a lot more ex rays to find out whether or not it has spread… but more information wouldn’t change the fact that there are very few treatment options for her.

In fact, more information could only possibly shorten the six months of time that they’ve given her.

Our vet told us, “Get her a hamburger, she’s a good girl.” So, from all of us at Grandma’s house, make sure to spoil your dogs from time to time. We’re making it a monthly date now taking ours to the A&W for burgers and fries.

Annie is Lodi’s heart dog – I feel terrible for him.

I lost mine many years ago and its just not something you ever get over.

After we lost Gar this spring we knew we wouldn’t be getting any more horses and I can’t imagine getting any more dogs either. This is just so very hard and with Lodi’s hours the majority of the responsibility falls on me.

And we’re coming to that age in our lives too that being able to just go on a trip and not having to worry about our charges at home would be a very nice thing.

September 2024, I sure do love our dogs though and will miss them terribly.

Meanwhile I am reminding Lodi that Annie is still happy to be here and still has a pretty damned good life.

We did get a baby gate though as neither of our too senior citizens need to be climbing our steep, narrow, slippery and VERY hard wood staircase, especially because the only reason they’re doing it is to come beg for early breakfast!

September 2024 was a truly gorgeous month for us here in northern MN.

No pun intended but we were blessed with many “dog” days!

Even with everything turning into fall colors we were still seeing hot summery days that kept on reminding me how lucky we are to live in such a pretty place.

My grandma’s hydrangea bloomed more this year then ever and I’m still so relieved that I didn’t kill it when I transplanted it years ago lol.

Give your doggos a hug from us tonight!