Hoss, I think Zoey would approve.

   We had not intended to get another dog so soon and Rick maybe never again.   But this rescue dog turned up with this wrinkled ole face and what could you do.  He needed a home.

      Hoss is 2 1/2.  His breed is called a Olde English Bulldogge, in reality he is still a cross breed from an English bulldog shown below

  And an American Bulldog.

          And you end up with a dog that is bred for his easy going temperament,  outstanding loyalty and the loudest snore I have ever heard from a dog.  He has his momma's face but his daddy's body.  Except his nose isn't that smashed up to his face.

    Zoey was irreplaceable.  No doubt about it.  Hoss is nothing like my sweet Zoey.   He didn't know how to walk on a leash.  And since he weights in at 72 pounds of pure muscle that was a problem.  But this breed wants to please its owner and in only a few short hours he has it down pat.

   Now Hoss has been raised around cats and his foster had 3 cats.   Hoss likes them.  We haven't actually found anything Hoss doesn't like except for peanut butter biscuits.   He loves everybody, large and small,  loves every dog and was playing with cows at this foster.  Since originally this dog was called the butcher dog because it could capture and hold its cows for its owner I found that funny.

   I was nervous about the adoption.  Would he like us?  I have never had a male dog and have never adopted a full grown dog before.  I have always done my own training.  We spent the week before his arrival and read everything we could about the breed and how to rescue a dog successfully.  I love the dog whisperer.  We used his video to set the ground rules right away about who was the leader in our pack.  Great stuff. And I plan to have him take some obedience training.  He is strong, stronger even then Zoey.   I want to teach him to come.

        Hoss is so different then Zoey.  He snores loudly.   He toots at will.  Because of the bulldog he is snorting and sloppering alot.   He is naturally very friendly where Zoey was standoffish until she got to know you.  Everybody deserves wet sloppy kisses according to Hoss.  We have to work on getting him not to jump up and start kissing the strangers on the street.  They may not like a big headed dog sneezing in their face then licking it off.  But I do.  

  Hoss still has some scabs and sores from his past life as a dog who was not taken care of by his owner.  Noah's Hope rescue takes in the strays, no matter how injured.

   I hope you will all take a moment and vote for Noah's Hope Animal Rescue at this site.  The could win some much needed money.  You have to like the page to vote.  Vote today.

https://fb.chasegiving.com/charity/view/ein/27-0697985

  Hoss watching Xena watching Chester who is keeping his eyes on the both of them.  How do you like Xena's new bed, LOL.  Looks like a sock monkey.

  So Xena as been slinking around, hissing and batting at Hoss.   Hoss just kind of stares back, wiggles his stubby tale, which is that way naturally, and seems to say.  When your ready we will be pals.  Just perfect the way he isn't forcing himself on her and she is slowly coming up and sniffing him.  I think Xena will finally get a dog she can play and cuddle with.  Zoey just never really cared for her.

  Once again we have the patter was feet in our hour and fur bodies pressing against us for a hugs.  The house seemed hollow and empty without Zoey.  Lifeless even.  It is whole again.  And I think Zoey would like Hoss.  I know Hoss would have like Zoey.

Life Without Zoey

 

  It has almost been 2 weeks since Zoey passed.   Slowly I am getting used to not having her furry self to greet us at the door and beg at our table.   It has been difficult.

    The day after Zoey went to the Rainbow bridge I was eating my breakfast and just automatically saved her a bite and looked to where she would lie waiting.   No Zoey.   I could almost see her.   If you caught her begging she would hurry up and look away,  "I'm not begging", and then as soon as you looked away her face would turn to you again and her soft brown eyes would burn into you, mentally reminding you that she was there and waiting.

   Xena spent the first 3 days going from room to room and meowing at the top of her voice.   Day and night.   She has started sitting on our laps and sleeping in our bed.   Something she never did before.   She has started to settled down but I found her sleeping with one of Zoey's toys.   Weird.   She always liked Zoey much more then Zoey liked her.

    Yesterday I finally put Zoey's leash and treat jar away.   That was ridiculously difficult.  I know in my mind what is final but my heart still wants her to come in and nudge the jar with her nose.

   On the back door are some dirty smudges from years of Zoey using her nose to push the door open.   I know I will tackle cleaning them off some day.  But not yet.

    I bury my nose in Xena's fur and can remember how nice Zoey smelled.   But Xena is not the same.  Xena has also taken to following me from room to room like Zoey did, weird.

   I miss the way Zoey would greet you by shoving her face between you legs, forcing you to stop and reach down and pet her and scratch her under her arms.   She loved that and so did I.

   We had steak last night.   It seemed wrong to just toss the scraps.  What a waste.

   Tuesday we are expecting the urn we ordered.  Zoey's face will be laser cut on it.   Rick wants to save the ashed in the urn,  someday she will be put to rest with us.  If you have never had a beloved pet this will seem weird,  we are careful who we tell that to.  But for those that know what it is like you will understand.  It just seems right.

   So slowly we are adjusting.  It has the same feeling when Betty and Merle passed.

2016

2016

      We went and saw the movie yesterday.   If you want to truly be informed about who you voted for and if you're thinking of voting for him again,  see the movie.

R.I.P. Zoey

Photo contest

   I recently found a new, for me, place for photo contest.   They have free competitions and some you pay to enter.  Most of the entries fees are only 3 dollars.   I know we have several budding and professional photographers that blog so thought I would share the link if you don't already have it.  I have several photographs entered but there are thousands of great shots.  Check out I Shot It.

   Zoey had a good weekend.   She is weak and has lost a lot of weight but still is eating anything and everything we put in front of her.   We go to the vet today.  We spend mornings and evenings outside since it is cooler and let her wander around and sniff.  She seems content to lie on the grass and look around.   I think the vet will be shocked to see how much weight she has lost and I am anxious to weight her and see also.  

  A friend of mine is going through the same thing with her dog.  In my absence from blogging while everyone was living here I missed the passing of many of my blogging friends pets.  I am sorry about that and my sympathies to you all.  I know how hard it is.  Hugs to you all.  Hopefully they will all meet at the rainbow bridge.

Bad Days

 Zoey and us had a bad night last night.    We went out to eat since she was doing about the same and when we got home once again she was having a hard time walking.   We helped her outside and then back in,  her legs kept crossing and she had trouble staying on her feet.   As I stroked her fur I couldn't help but feel how much weight she has dropped in just 1 week.  Her eyes were wide and panicky looking.


  I had talked to the vet earlier and we decided she might be having pain so I had picked up some pain meds.  I gave her one and we sat on the floor and comforted her.   Telling her what a good girl she was and had always been.  I called my sons and they both came over with my sobbing grandchildren and we sat on the floor and petted and hugged the pet we loved.


  In about 40 minutes her eyes were relaxed and we could tell her pain med had kicked in.  And then we couldn't believe it when she wanted her treats.  The ones she always gets when it is 7:30.  We were late and she wanted them.   She happily ate them and then walked across the room, steady on her feet again.  Thank god there are meds that will make her feel better.


  My vet still is pushing to do the surgery on her.  But I was thinking.  If I was in my high 80's to 90's and I had a cancer that couldn't be cured and I couldn't voice my opinion I would hope my sons would tell the doctor to keep me comfortable.  That is what I know I would want and we think it is what Zoey would want.  We are definitely not going to put her through that.

   My grandchildren leave in 2 days.   We are hoping with the pain meds she will be comfortable and do well until they leave and then we will be making that call we don't want to make.  We both pray she will maybe go in her sleep at our side.  But either way it won't be long.

   I told the kids at the rainbow bridge Zoey will be able to throw her collar away and run with the other dogs, sniffing all the new smells and going where she wants.  And then someday when we meet again she will run up, her tail wagging and that goofy smile on her face and we will all rejoice at our reunion.  

   This morning she is still slightly unsteady but her breathing is easy and she doesn't appear to be in any pain.  I will give her another pain med shortly to make sure it doesn't come back.  And we promised her we wouldn't let her suffer.  So if it means even if the grandchildren are here when it is time we will do what is right.

Helping the kids cope

 

           Most of the grandchildren will be gone by the time Zoey goes.  Unless it happens this week.   The oldest left Sunday and the 2 middle go back to Philly this weekend.   Sophie will be the only one here.  The youngest and most attached to Zoey since they lived her for over a year and bonded.  We are all in that anticipatory grieving stage.  We know whats coming.  Kids hurt when a pet die.  They get over it faster but it is just as painful.   So yesterday I had them write letters about what things did they like about Zoey.   Boy I tell you............ having them read them to me was a tearjerker.  Our plan is to light a Japanese lantern if the weather isn't to dry with the letters in to fly to heaven and meet Zoey at the Rainbow bridge.   I also read them the poem,  the rainbow bridge.  It is going to be hard enough on all of us and if I can make it any easier I will try.   What has worked for my fellow bloggers to prepare children?  Fortunately they are not real young anymore.

    I then researched a site about how do you know when the time has come to  put you dog to rest.    It was a great article and has a numbering system to judge your dogs quality of life.   Add up Zoey's quality of life score I came up with an 8.  It means it's time.   I want Rick to check it out and see if he scores it same.  The article is on this site.  Nature's Corner.     

  It is a great article and discussed the most humane way to euthanize a pet.  I hate that word by the way.  Sigh.  But it has given me more food for thought.

   We are rapidly getting to the point that we have to make a decision soon.   Zoey had a miserable weekend.   The steroids make her extremely thirsty.   We have a big boy automatic waterier and we have had to fill it 3 to 4 times a day.  She just stands there drinking and drinking and drinking.   And every 2 hours she needs out.  All night long.  All day long.

   Yesterday it was 104 out.   Very hot.  Zoey was panting so hard and so fast I thought she would collapse.  Her stools and loose and runny because she is drinking a few gallons a day.  Her tummy is all full and bloated looking.  And after she noses her treat jar for a biscuit she collapses in a heap until the next potty break. This can't be good on her bad heart!

   I am calling the vet today to see about taking her off the steroid early.   It's side effects are to hard on my poor baby.  If it was going to cure her..............  but it is not.  It is making her worse and miserable.  I have already started to taper her off already,  but I really like my vet,  I know when I ask him he will suggest it also.  Then maybe I can get the lab results. The final pieces to the puzzle

     Zoey spends all of her time laying.   She used to also follow us from room to room and lay at our feet.  Not always now.  The hundreds of times I have tripped over and stepped over.  Such bittersweet memories when they aren't there.