Oh, Roman, you're such a character. You've been our biggest canine challenge since you walked into our home on February 4, 2018. Last month, you had a wellness check which went rather well, all things considered (like driving you back and forth to Dr. Julia in a crate). His liver numbers were elevated as they have been for a year or so, but not to a concerning level.
Two days ago on Wednesday, Roman stopped eating and could no longer walk by himself. Amazingly, Roman let nephew Michael pick him up to go out to the yard and drink some water. Something in my head began to trouble me as these events began unfolding. The way Roman looked at me when we communicated told me all I needed to know. We were going to lose him. He looked stately, calm, and resigned. Much of the wildness that normally flows through his attitude was absent.
As we roll into the crisp days of autumn here in New Mexico, the annual Balloon Fiesta is in full swing. For Roman, that means his annual vet visit which is, to say the least, rather traumatic for him. Since he cannot be leashed, he needs to be crated for his short trip to the vet's office. Unfortunately, Pumpkin, our trusted van that we've owned for 15 years, is in for its first major service, getting a new power steering pump, new motor mounts, and a transmission flush. Pumpkin is missed! This means that Roman must take the short journey in the pickup bed. At least it's cool today, so the open-air experience isn't too bad.
I've included a slightly older photo of Roman just to remind you how handsome he is. Today, the vet will do a complete blood workup to check up on the Lyme disease, trim his nails, fit a new muzzle (which he wears full-time) and treat a growth he has developed just below his left eye. Fingers crossed that all goes well.
So... since marrying Ken in March, I have inherited additional members of the "White Dog Army". Even though the WDA has become far less white in tone, we've persevered. Now, we've officially added cats to the WDA! Ken's beautiful girls, Tabs and Jackie, live at Ken's place in the east mountains. Our home in town is the Doghouse and our home in the mountains has been christened the Cat House. Even though I have a cat allergy, I've become accustomed to our beautiful additions.
Sadly, Tabs began drooling two weeks ago and then she stopped eating. Ken took her to the veterinarian closest to him and Tabs spent a week in cat hospital due to an abscess under her tongue. After a week, she was sent home with no improvement in her condition.
Last week, I had Ken take her to see Dr. Julia and she immediately did a blood panel that indicated raised a white blood count and an out-of-control liver issue (probably due to the steroids prescribed by the previous vet). Tabs underwent a procedure at Dr. Julia's office to examine the abscess and determine whether or not it may be cancerous. A biopsy was sent out and we should know more today (Tuesday). A follow-up last Friday indicated that the new antibiotic and ceasing the steroid had brought her blood numbers back to near normal levels.
I had a challenging work week involving a lot of computer time last week and determined to remove myself from the stream of media. The end result was starting AND COMPLETING a project that has been awaiting my attention for two years. A while ago, I bought a new coffee table that converts to a dining table. When it arrived, the coffee table was delivered in two very large and very heavy boxes that intimidated me. Every time I looked at the boxes, I groaned internally. On Saturday, I opened the boxes, spread out the contents all around my living room, and constructed what is now a magical addition to my main living space.
Ken hasn’t seen the table yet as he has a sick cat who is in overnight care at the vet near our country house.
Valentine's Day holds fond memories from childhood for me - exchanging cards and getting those little candy hearts. Sue and I never celebrated Valentine's Day except that Siku landed at the airport in Albuquerque on Valentines' Day in 2005. Sue was in a college class, so I went to the airport and found Siku's crate locked in the baggage claim office. After rescuing her, I took her back to the office and cuddled with her. She was such an adorable puppy!
