Studio Dog.
I've been on pins and needles here for the last few weeks. My noble and incredibly brilliant friend/dog/and spiritual guide, Studio Dog (real name to remain anonymous at her request) has been showing signs of distress and, knowing she had been diagnosed with a heart murmur and enlargement of her heart two years ago, I was expecting the worst. She had collapsed on a walk and I carried her home. Her heartbeat has been racing and dysrhythmic and, intermittently, her breathing has been labored.
Our mobile veterinarian came by last week and seemed grim about Studio Dog's prospects but recommended that we make an appointment with a canine cardiologist to get a better assessment; but even as she suggested this our vet seemed to be preparing us for the worst.
Belinda and I took Studio Dog in this morning where she had a sonogram and a multi-lead EKG. An enlargement on one side of her heart, along with a congenital valve condition had pushed her into atrial fibrillation. The cardiologist told us we could manage the a fib with several medications which would lower the heart rate and help smooth out her heart rhythm.
We asked for a forward-looking prognosis and heard that she might have 12 to 18 months more of good quality of life. We were overjoyed. None more so that my son who has a very special bond with our very special dog.
I had stopped taking jobs in anticipation of a tough row just ahead but the sense of relief I feel this afternoon is almost euphoric. Where would I be without her tough but kind critiques of my various post processing experiments? Who would bark up the incompetent postal carrier? Who would whine about my poor selection skills when it comes to choosing dog food? And who would sit with me on the couch, watching La Dolce Vita while my friends and family roll their eyes?
She's rarely met a camera or lens she didn't like and has no patience for wedding photographers or Tony Northrup's videos. But rather than write her eulogy today I'm thrilled that I'll be running errands and doing favors for her for months to come. Now, if I can only convince her to use part of her allowance to help me buy a couple of Leica lenses..... But no. Dogs aren't nearly as dense and impractical as me.
25 comments:
Kirk,
I'm sure you will get comments from people with similar experiences. It is truly a joy to know that you have some more time with her.
Bella Warrior Princess sends her best regards. She knows what hard work it is to keep the humans in line.
Fred
Once I got past the scary headline, I was delighted to hear the report. Not the best it could have been, but very good news regardless. I'm sure you will have a happy family meal tonight (and maybe some prime beef for Studio Dog).
There's no love as pure as that of a dog for his/her human.
So glad to hear that Studio Dog is doing better. We treasure our dogs, photograph them frequently and, unfortunately, had to put our oldest down two weeks ago due to stroke and acl tears. She could no longer walk in the park or chase balls - her two favorite pastimes in the whole world besides displaying her unshakable, endearing affection for us. I mourn her every day. I’m so happy that you are likely to have more time with your best buddy.
That opening scared me. Glad the news was better than what I expected.
Slick Slim the Tux Cat sends his best wishes.
Great news that you get more time with each other. We had to send our cat to kittie heaven a little over a year ago. He lived to be 21 which is a great old age for a cat but saying goodbye to him was exceptionally difficult. Prior to that, we had to say goodbye to our 16 yr old Cockapoo (who was best friends with the aforementioned cat). Terribly difficult days in our home. It really is the worst thing to experience. Our pets really are family members and the grief we experience when they die can be every bit as difficult as the loss of a human.
That's good news. It really hurts to lose a good dog and we wish that they could outlive us by at least a few hours.
I’m glad the prognosis is better, it is very heart wrenching when they go. ,
Unlike us humans, Studio Dog has no fear of death. I suspect she’ll get some extra treats and lots of pats and hugs and that she’ll just put it up to being a good dog. Most important, she’ll be a happy dog. That’s the deal, a lot of mutual happiness and an agreement that when the end comes the human will take on the sadness.
Happy to hear that she gets a new lease on life. Losing a dog sucks.
Ken
Hi Kirk,
Enjoy the you have left. We lost our dog three yers ago and still think and miss him everyday.
Regards,
Larry C.
Phew!!! Erna and I have been holding our breath. Such good news!!! Studio Dog is very special.
Eric
Our nearly 55 years of marriage have been blessed and our lives enriched by a succession of wonderful dogs. The currently reigning queen of our household is Georgia, a long-haired Chihuahua mix. She sends her warmest best wishes to Studio Dog.
Like others have said, I was scared to read the post, fearing the worst. I'm so glad to hear you'll still have a bit of time together. A year ago next week, I lost my best friend, a female Boston Terrier named Fredo (long story why she got such a name....). I'll never get over losing her, and I don't want to. I'll always be grateful for teaching me what unconditional love really is. I'm sure you and your family will make the most of the time you'll have together. I always love reading about and seeing photos of Studio Dog. She's got lots of people pulling for her. And for you.
Tom
I am so pleased. I quite like you but I love that dog. May you both keep on running.
Best wishes to you both.
Jeremy
Dogs are the best.
My best wishes to Studio Dog and to you for a rapid return to normalcy, in which you do nice things for her and she rewards you in return by being awesome.
Rocco, #1 doggie in our home, also sends his regards.
https://live.staticflickr.com/4266/34440180233_f8a13edbbd_b.jpg
The world has 2 kinds of people:
Animal people and everyone else.
Though we who are first on that exhaustive catalog of humans can be a bit 'different' at times, all of us I would wager have been made better people from the selfless love brought to us by all of the animals we've been privileged to share part of our lives with. And share studio space. Office space. Lunch. And keyboard space, if you have cats ...
We are indeed fortunate to have them in our lives.
I have a Studio Dog that is my ambassador at my guitar shop. Life without Studio Dog is hard to contemplate.
Looks a lot like one of our four dogs. Farmstead here so we have space for them to run around with no other places within a mile.
As Mark Twain said when asked if he wanted to go to heave: “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
Great friends and companions who are always there for you.
Glad/sad at the news. Haven't even thought about how long she has been around as she has been a staple in your posts for quite some time, and news like this hits hard. It must have been very scary to have her collapse during a walk. This certainly adjusts your reality. Be well.
Best of luck to Studio Dog and your family. I hope whatever the vet prescribes allows her to embark on the tasks around the studio that she deems necessary. On a bright note, you have one advantage most don't and that is being self employed and having a somewhat flexible schedule. I went thru something similar and lost our dog last year at only 10 years of age after a 2 year battle with a rare and rather nasty form of cancer. Like you I am self employed and I would have hated having a 9 to 5 job during that time. So take advantage of that as much as possible. There will always be another client. I'm pretty sure there is only one Studio Dog.
Thanks all. I've pulled way back on scheduling and my wife is taking off time for the foreseeable future. One of us is usually here with Studio Dog all during the day. Most days both of us. The meds might work but they introduce their own issue which is loss of appetite. Yes, I've tried chicken, I made her scrambled eggs today. No dice. Fancy canned food? Of course. No luck. Tonight I'm going to try a nice medium rare, bone in ribeye. Her absolute favorite. If she won't go for that...... then we worry harder...
If your vet hasn't already recommended it, ask them for an appetite stimulant. It made a big difference in my dog. I tried everything possible food wise and he simply would not eat anything, but the stimulant (sorry can't remember exactly what it was) made him want to eat again.
Kirk, about a month ago I lost my nearly 15 year old dog. She was a great companion through the years and always met me at the door when I returned home until the last two months. I went through the same thing with loss of appetite until her refusal to eat or drink led me to have to have her put down. The immediate impact was like I had lost my wife or child, but I quickly got used to thinking of her as she was in her prime.
Now I simply say to myself that I will see her again some day. A friend gave me a beautiful poem that is too long to add here. Let me know how to email it to you and I will do so.
Studio Dog we are all rooting for you!
May you be happy and content!
Best wishes from Delilah (border Collie) jason and merrica.
Studio Dog we are all rooting for you!
May you be happy and content!
Best wishes from Delilah (border Collie) jason and merrica.
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