robertwoodsdvm.com Blog

August 9, 2009 would mark “Beaucephous” turning 15 years old. “Bo” suffered from what, sadly elderly German Shepherds are prone to, degenerative myelopathy. Sadly “Bo” only made it to 14.

“Bo”, as you can see, lived the lap of luxury. A few years back, I remember his owner getting him a temper pedic bed, as his new “dog bed”. She would jokingly spend her “date nights” with “Bo”. Aroma-therapy candles, a little music, his specially made bed, and his mountain of stuffed animals, and tell the food delivery man not to ring the bell and disturb her dog who was relaxing.

I saw “Bo” for acupuncture treatments for over 3 years. A 90 pound German Shepherd coming into a pet hospital can be a little intimidating for other clients. “Bo” had a heart of gold though. He would sit on his mat on the floor while I placed the acupuncture needles in their locations. With each needle, I asked “Bo” how his day was, and he would respond with a GIANT german shepherd attack bark. If you were sitting in the lobby, listening, you would think I was being eaten by a huge german shepherd, though “Bo” never once snapped at me. He just had A LOT to talk about! He had to tell me about his week, or how he was worried that his owner was worried.

His owner was always very concerned about his quality of life. She had even gone to great lengths to make sure he was comfortable. She had even gone to see a pet communicator on occasion. Apparantly, “Bo” liked me, thought I made him feel better, and liked “the bunnies”. His owner had no idea what that meant until the next time she brought him in for treatment and saw the decorative rabbits outside our exam room window in the garden. That made us all laugh, and wonder?

If I have a the chance to actually name one of my dogs (rescues usually come with a pre-exisiting name) “Beaucephous” is my top choice, assuming the name suits them.

German Shepherd Rescue

These past weeks have been challenging as a veterinarian who has a close, consistent, relationship with most of my clients. I usually get the chance to personally know the owner as well as the pet.

Over the past few years, I met a young man who was referred to me by Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM and getting to know him, we shared a commonality of growing up in Ohio. He had a sweet pit bull mix named “Sway” who was battling allergies at the time. “Sway” LOVED her dad, and she loved doggie cookies. She was not dog aggressive, but she would bark at other dogs when they came in. Her bark sounded as if she was saying, “this is my dad, he is the best dad in the world, and I am not sharing him!” wagging her tail the whole time. Her symptoms progressed into what was diagnostically proven to be an auto-immune disorder. She battled with weight loss, went through multiple transfusions, feeding tubes….anything she needed, dad was eager to do for her. About 2 years ago, I distinctly remember seeing “Sway” emaciated, feeding tube in her nose, looking with forlorn eyes and thinking, “I am not sure she has anything left to give”. Then the jingle of the front door bells rang, a muffled voice in the lobby, and “Sway”, with every ounce of energy she had left, lifted her head and started wagging her tail. “Sway” knew her owner was there to check on her, everything she did, she did for him and vice versa. I knew after that moment, she was going to be ok, she was going to fight not to share her dad with anyone else.

For the past 2 years, I saw her twice weekly, then weekly, and so forth until we got to a monthly treatment regimine. Each time we put her on the scale she would weigh a little bit more, and be so happy to be with her dad. Every free moment her owner had was spent with and for “Sway”. They lived each day to its fullest.

Sadly a few weeks ago, complications from a sudden onset of pancreatitis and her pre-existing condition weakened her. Her owner, with a heavy heart, took the day off to spend with “Sway” and had made plans to put her to sleep. That afternoon, “Sway” passed on her own with her owner right by her side. I know that “Sway” didn’t want him to doubt that he was making the right decision, she closed her eyes one last time. I was so deeply saddened by the loss of “Sway”, I called home to inform my other half of the news, who was anticipating my updates all day. That whole weekend, neither of us could really be motivated for much, such a sad ending to a two year battle.

Then, last week a card came in the mail, a picture of “Sway” running in the sunset at the beach was enclosed. How touching it was to see her happy enjoying each day she spent on this earth. She had floppy ears, a squishy nose that loved to be kissed, and barked at me until I gave her a cookie. She will be greatly missed, but at least I have a picture to reflect back on and remember the joy she shared with all those around her, come what may.

Today was a very sad day in terms of patients, I unfortunately had to say good bye to some old friends. I know it is hard as an owner to have to make a decision to euthanize your pet. As I left a house call of a grieving family, they reminded me that there are little things that you can do to celebrate your pet.
Something very simple, that can be made at any time, is a clay paw print impression of your pets foot.
With 4 kids in the house, we save the Michael’s craft store coupons that come in the sunday newspaper weekly. We have shelves of projects to pull out at a moments notice to entertain. They have stepping stone kits that allow you to make an impression of your child’s handprint, well why not your dog? Then when researching it online, they actually make a kit tailored to “pets”. It is inexpensive, simple, and in some cases can allow you to start the grieving process.
The Paw Print Stone Kit is very easy and looks very nice, and you can always embellish it as you see fit. Target’s online store even carries the same kit.
So remember to celebrate the short time your life is privileged to share with your loved pets.

ABOVE PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY GINA SPADAFORI WHO WRITES FOR www.petconnection.com

I was saddened to hear that one of my patients was to weak to make the trip to the AKC Grand Championships. A day where this dog is not well enough to compete is a sad day in her own life, her owners life, and all the lives she touches.
Her name is “Jazz”, she is a little over 8 years old, and a flat coated retriever. There are other flat coated retriever that compete in agility, but the special thing about “Jazz” is that she was a fighter. “Jazz” was diagnosed with malignant hystiocytosis in January 2007. Typically after a patient is diagnosed with this type of cancer, they have a likely prognosis of ~6-9 months. Her owners went to every length in helping her fight the cancer. She under went a very invasive surgery by a specialist, then a long road in the heeling process. I started treating her with acupuncture soon after that surgery. Even in all her discomfort, her eyes were ALWAYS full of such a spirit. From the moment she came into my office, she touched everyones heart that crossed her path. Her body chose to fight and overcome that cancer, she to this day, was in remission from malignant hystiocytosis.
This fall, she was presented with a runny nose that did not respond to antibiotics like an upper respiratory infection typically does. Her face started to bulge and after diagnostic testing, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Her owners again, put a brave foot forward in helping “Jazz” fight her second battle with cancer.
Sadly, I had to pet her head for the last time on monday. Her owners knew it was her time, too weak to walk and not wanting to eat. I will greatly miss my sessions with “Jazz”. Even through all her adversities she was a magnificent dog and a loving member of her family.
She will be greatly missed.