Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Mary Beth:
Hope you are having a better work week now that you are away from that jerk. I am hoping your Max is doing better. I am so sorry you are going thru this and having to go to work on top of it all. Blessings
Patti

Just stopping to say love you and I still care.:):)

Hope you are having a better week if that is possible. Cuddles to Maxwell.

Thanks everyone.

When I had knee surgery in December I would lay on the couch with a heating pad and Alivia would snuggle up on it with me. If the heating pad was turned off and laying on the couch, Ali would lay on it. When she realized it was not as warm as it was supposed to be, she would stand up and dig on it, trying to turn it on. Then I would turn it on for her. She was a smart little one and had me trained very well. :p For some reason, the heating pad never worked after Ali passed. Weird. Even though my knee surgery was a complete failure, it was a blessing in disguise. I got to spend a lot more time snuggling with Ali those last few months than I would have if I'd been working.

I look at the tiny urn that contains Ali's ashes and still can't believe she is gone. I miss her so much. I have good hours and bad hours. I still cannot talk about her without crying. I guess after 16 years with her, it will take awhile to get used to not having her with me.

Maxwell is doing okay. Still reserved for him, but he is a great comfort to me. We are healing...slowly.

I am really glad you got that extra special time with Alivia while recuperating. Sofa snuggles are the best!
Nothing wrong with a few tears. I'd cry too. You miss your best friend.
hugs
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Mary Beth,
don't feel guilty or afraid to lavish Max with love. I'm sure that Alivia wouldn't mind.

It's in our nature and theirs to love. Hugs.

Mary Beth:
I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and dear Max. I hope things are alright with both of you. I know your heart is broken and will be for a long time. Just try to get through it a day at a time, and love that boy Max. Blessings
Patti

I dont know if we ever heal completely, as Marianne so beautifully wrote on my thread. Some days are easier than others and I know you are right about Koko and Maxwell. When Maxwell seems especially quiet, could you ask someone to visit him? When my daughter's cat almost died and was going through a difficult recovery, we would go visit him when he was having a bad day. So now she returns the favor and will come with our youngest granddaughter to visit Koko when he is having a sad day.

I am concerned about your knee and why you say the surgery was a failure. Bailey's mom Susan on Everything Else went throught 2 knee surgeries but maybe they were different than yours. I know the road to recovery was long and she went through a few physical therapists as one hurt her. She even walked with a walker for some time. I will ask her to come and visit you and maybe you can compare notes. It is like my arm, I was really upset that it has been three months with eight PT visits and I thought I would be further along but the surgeon said he thinks I am doing well:rolleyes::rolleyes::(:( I sure dont think I am. I still cant do certain movements without bad pain but apparently I am going to have to work through that pain even though the therapist said I should not do that.

My computer has been acting up so tech support deleted my spell check option. Sorry for all the errors.:o:o:o:o

It is Sunday. Oh well, back to the old grind tomorrow:(:(:(

Thanks for checking in everyone.

Yes, some days are better than others, I think for both Max and me. The snow has completely melted - finally! But, with that, my back yard needs a really good cleaning. Twice in the last three days, Max has come in very happy and very covered in poop! :eek: Of course the first time, was right before we were going to go to bed. Stayed up much later than planned to bathe him!! This is new for him and hopefully not going to be continuing!! I am wondering if he is finding Alivia's scent, as he seems very pleased with himself?! That is until his butt (and the rest of him) ends up in the laundry tub!

When Max seems especially sad, I try to take him for a car ride to the pet store. That usually perks him up for awhile. But, he definitely needs more exercise. My daughter said he is starting to look like a sausage! :o

Unfortunately, Addy, I am certain the knee surgery did not work. I've had follow up x-rays and the surgeon already told me. Years ago, I was a passenger in a car accident and injured my knee. I had multiple surgeries and was told eventually it would need replaced. Then I totaled my car a year ago and hurt the same knee. I went through injections, therapy, etc. and the surgery in December was to repair a torn meniscus and clean out the joint. The surgeon said it was much worse than he anticipated and in hindsight, he would have skipped that particular surgery as my knee is bone on bone and the only thing that will help with the pain and function is a full knee replacement. That will require 3-5 days in the hospital and then probably additional time in rehab because I live alone and my house is 3 stories (4 if you count the basement where the laundry room is!). I have been avoiding that mainly because of Alivia - I just couldn't leave her. Now I need to be sure Max is okay. I have a very good friend that Max loves so he might be able to go to her house or she may come stay here with him (she's done that before for me). He has never been in a kennel, so at his age, that is not even an option. I would also prefer to wait until the weather was nicer, but I am not sure how much longer I can put it off as the pain is getting REALLY bad. I am also not even sure they would do it right now until they determine what the nodule in my lung is. I see the ortho in about 2 weeks and have a follow up lung CT scan in May. I am falling apart. :(

2014 HAS to get better, right??? :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by addy;

......I am concerned about your knee and why you say the surgery was a failure. Bailey's mom Susan on Everything Else went throught 2 knee surgeries but maybe they were different than yours. I know the road to recovery was long and she went through a few physical therapists as one hurt her. She even walked with a walker for some time. I will ask her to come and visit you and maybe you can compare notes. .......

---

...and here I am!!!:D
I am sorry about Alivia. I haven't been following your thread, but I just read the most recent 5 or six pages. Take that former boss of yours and hit him over the head with a baseball bat. How incredibly insensitive. :mad: I had an incident similar to that where someone asked how old the dog was that had died and when I responded "17" he replied...."Oh, well, it was time."

I am the self proclaimed "knee expert." I have had two partial knee replacements, three full knee replacements and numerous arthroscopic surgeries. I started out bone on bone. I know knee pain. I know pt. I know good pt. I know bad pt. My right knee was done and has basically been a walk in the park (comparatively.) My left knee was done and was never "right" plus I had a bad fall a little over a year ago which twisted the prosthetic totally out of its placement so that it had to be redone completely, which turned out to kind of be a blessing. I know about needing to take pain medication long term and I know about getting off pain medication safely.

My status at the moment is pretty good. I need to improve my strength, which will be a lifelong project. The strong my leg muscles are, the better my knees can work. I can go up and down stairs with little problem. I basically have very little pain, I just have some crunching going on inside my left knee which I am told is scar tissue. Arthroscopic surgery might help alleviate some of that, but I am not going to go through that unless it becomes unbearable. It sounds worse than it hurts. Lifelong exercising of my legs is a permanent condition. I do still have some difficulty getting up out of a seated position.

I would be most happy to answer any questions you might have. I can tell you firmly that the longer you put off replacement, the more damage you are doing to what you have left in there. That means less of a success for your surgery. It also takes generally three months or more to schedule this surgery, there is such high demand for it. I know someone who is waiting for it and she can't even get on the wait list.....the wait list is booked out as far as the system will book, so she is on a cancellation list for now.:(

Let me know how I can help. I know the pain you must be in with this.
-Susan

Thank you Susan:):):):)

See Mary Beth, Susan has been through it all so feel free to pick her brain if you need to:):):)

I thought it was so cute Maxwell liked being a "stinker".

hugs and more hugs

Thanks, Susan! You have been through a whole lot...especially considering you only have two legs!! I will private message you some questions, so as not to bore everyone else with knee issues!

Addy, I did not think it was at all "cute" that Max wanted to be a little stinker!! Especially when I was in my PJs and ready for bed. :D I took him to the pet store today. He got his nails clipped, which he hates, but then he had fun shopping. I weighed him on the scale there and he is 26 pounds! He has his winter weight on and is big boned for a JRT, but that is his highest weight ever. He needs to lose a few! We took the (really) long way home because he loves to ride in the car. He is pooped out now....which is way better than having poop on! :D

Just checking in. I am still having good days and bad. In general, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. My refrigerator died suddenly the other day. I had to throw out everything. Of course, I had just gone shopping and had a full freezer. I bought a tiny one to hold me over until I feel up to shopping for a new one. I just realized yesterday that my car inspection expired on January 31st. I was a little distracted around that time. Fortunately, I haven't gotten a ticket - yet. My knee is getting worse. I see my ortho next Thursday, so I guess the replacement surgery will be scheduled. Working full time and dealing with everything else, I just can't seem to get caught up with anything.

Max is being so good. But, it also seems like he has lost his spunk. I think he is still having a hard time with Ali gone.

Mary Beth, sounds like things have been overwhelming for you. Too much all at once and leaving you no time to just "be". Try to find a bit of that time for yourself during the day. Even an hour for you and max can make a difference.

Gosh that knee really is going to have to be taken care of it sounds like. :( Hope you can figure out a plan and schedule that works for you.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

I totally understand not being able to get everything done. I think it might take Max awhile to perk up. Koko is up and down too. Maybe of it ever gets nce out they will perk up much more and so will we.

Sorry to hear about the knee surgery, that is a lot to handle Mary Beth. You sure do need a break from things going wrong.

I am sending BIG HUGS and tons of love to you and Maxwell.

Good grief, we're a rickety bunch ain't we?! :p Seems like several of us have fallen and sustained damage plus those of you who are simply falling apart with no external aid whatsoever. :p:p:p (notice how adeptly I removed myself from the latter group! :D) I hope the surgery does the trick this time and the knee heals correctly so you are dancing again not long after.

Mary Beth:
You have so many issues going on at the same time. I am sorry about your knee. You have certainly been through a lot, and I pray things get on the mend for you. I am hoping sweet Max is taking the reigns and becoming the little man of the house. It's a weird time in Pittsburgh when the Pirates are doing better than the Steelers. Blessings
Patti

Just stopped in to say hello.

Alivia is on my mind a lot. It has been two months since she passed away and it still seems surreal. I miss her gentle soul so much. Max still is not himself. Obviously, things will never be the same for either of us and we are still adjusting to life without our sweet Alivia.

My knee replacement surgery is scheduled. They wanted to do it the beginning of May, but I was not mentally ready! My surgeon goes on vacation for several weeks in June, so I didn't want to do it until he was back in case of complications (which I seem to have a lot of!). The surgery is set for June 26th, which would have been my mother's birthday so hopefully that is a good omen. I still don't know what I will do with Max for the 3-5 days I am in the hospital. My daughter can't take him because my grandson is afraid of him (and Max is afraid of my grandson). They end up staring at each other constantly and you know that is not a good thing for a dog. Right now I cannot think of any good options. :( Nothing has been easy lately.

We had a beautiful weekend - yesterday it was in the 80's, but they are predicting 1-2 inches of snow tomorrow. This weather is CRAZY!

Hi Mary Beth:
If my Tipper was nor sick I would!d drive down and watch your Max. I hope you can find a solution. I am sorry to hear Max is still depressed. You had Alivia for quite a long time, and it cannot be easy for you to go on. Blessings
Patti

Mary Beth I am glad you scheduled your surgery. Cpould your daughter keep Mawell in a separate room, away from your grandson?

How about a pet sitter to come in the house? I know that is expensive but at least Maxwell will be in his home. Could Ali's vet know of someone?

It will all work out.
((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))

So glad you got your surgery scheduled Mary Beth. You need to get that knee taken care of.
Oh dear, I know it is a worry with Maxwell. I hope you can find someone he can stay with while you are in hospital. :(

hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

Feeling very melancholy today. Too much to think about.

Maxwell will be 14 years old this August and has never been in a kennel, so that is not an option. A good friend who has watched them in the past, will be away on vacation. Another good friend was a possibility, but when I took Max over there last weekend, her recently rescued dog attacked him (no injuries) and was very territorial. I have a neighbor who will come in and out (she has 2 cats and a dog), but that would be very lonely for Maxwell...especially now that he is without Alivia. Seems like there are no good options. I wish he could come with me. I may have to look into pet sitters, but I really hate the idea of a stranger in my house all that time and with Maxwell.

Wished I lived closer to you, I believe letting Maxwell stay at home is probably the best option, it might get a bit lonesome for him but I do believe when our dogs are up in age that being in a familiar place and surrounded by things that they are accustomed to is what can make them the most calm when we are away.

MaryBeth:
How many days will you be gone? I have some friends back home and maybe I could get one to stay with Max. Where is you location, most of my friends are in the South Hills and South Side. They are trustworthy too. Let me know the date you are going. Blessings
Patti

Mary Beth, what if your vet could suggest someone to stay at your house, would that make you more comfortable?
Otherwise, right before Zoe was diagnosed back on 2010, I found a kennel that had rooms, not cages and you could even get a TV in their room:rolleyes: The owner suggested for Zoe- to try one night in the middle of the week a few times to see how she did, then maybe bump it up to a weekend over the span of a few months.

I agree with Lori, Maxwell would probably do better at home but I mention the other as an emergency back up plan.

I am so sorry you are down and sad. I wished I lived closer so I could help you.

Thanks for the suggestions and concern. I really appreciate it. Patti, I am in the South Hills - Dormont to be exact. Small world. I think I might have a solution for Max! My niece who lives in Ohio, will be on summer break from college and MIGHT be able to come stay at my house!! She is a HUGE animal lover - especially dogs. That would be an almost ideal solution. Fingers crossed it works out!! I think it will be a huge relief when I get that worked out. I have already decided that there is no way I will put Maxwell in a kennel and will postpone the surgery if I have to. He is almost 14 and has never been in a kennel. He has never done well with change - even gets nervous if I rearrange furniture. :eek: Plus, with the loss of Ali, he has been through too much recently.

Besides all that, Max seems to be channeling some of Alivia's problems/behaviors all of a sudden. He seems to be completely deaf, which just recently occurred. He has been scratching himself a lot, too. Alivia had some allergy issues but Max never did. Max used to love all treats and now he is very selective - like Ali was! It is really strange! On the plus side, he has become much calmer with strangers (like Ali). I picked him up from the groomer's today - he had a different girl and she said he was a "perfect gentleman". Then we went to the pet store and the woman there who does the training classes commented on how well-behaved he is! He is still sleeping a lot and I really think he may be depressed. I actually have to make him get up in the morning, so that he will go outside before I leave for work. Sometimes I have to pick him up and carry him! He has an appointment to get checked out on Monday. It will be a tough day, because it will be the first time going back to the vet's office since Ali passed away. I still cry at unexpected times - I really miss Ali. Max has been such a huge comfort. Really don't know what I'd have done without him.

Mary Beth. I know you neighborhood like the back of my hand. I sold many a home there, and like the neighborhood. Glad you have a plan in place, as that is a worry getting someone to watch your pets, I know first hand. I sure hope Max perks up, it would seem he is really grieving for Alivia. Blessings
Patti

Oh MB I do hope your niece can come, it would solve everything. I dont blame you for thinking of postponing the surgery. You sure dont want any problems for Maxwell.

I have been noticing things too about Koko that remind me of Zoe and am freaking out a bit. Do you think we are just super worried and alert now? Like I noticed his hair seems to be turning whiter, he used to be a champagne kind of beigy color and then I noticed his hair around his privates looked pretty bald. I asked his groomer and she said I was right but maybe she was over zealous on his last sanitary trim. Then his coat near his butt seemed thinner to me.

Anyway, I can so relate to how you are feeling about Maxwell and I am so happy he is being a good boy when he is out and about. He IS a good boy:):):):)

Last I pictured Zoe in my mind, she and Ali were running aroung a pasture chasing Sonja's Apollo.:):):)

Very small world Patti. How long ago was it that you were in this area? I live right on Dormont Avenue in a big 100+ year old home on a double lot, with a driveway and garage - unusual for this area, as I am sure you know. Love it here, since I am close to everything, but four floors with stairs is pretty rough right now! Not to mention yard work...

Addy, I understand Sonja's Apollo was quite the ladies' man, so he is probably the one chasing after our girls! I am sure they are both being very proper! ;) Thanks for the smile! I sure hope we are being overly observant about some stuff. Except, I am positive Max is suddenly totally deaf. The mailman just came and opened the screen door to put the mail in. That used to cause Max to bark until he was absolutely sure he was at least 2 doors away and was not going to murder us. Max is not 10 feet away from the front door and didn't even notice. I don't have Cushing's worries with Max. He is having eye and ear issues and my fear for him is that he will end up blind, as well as deaf. I won't put Max through any added stress, so either someone I trust comes here or I don't go!! These senior dogs sure know how to make us worry! But, on the other hand, they are so worth it.

That would be great if your niece can stay with Maxwell. That would solve all the problems. If not a reshchedule until either your neice or your friends are back and take care of Max would work too.

Yowser 4 levels of stairs!

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Mary Beth:
Oh yes I am very familiar with Dormont Avenue. I lived in Upper St Clair for almost 30 years and in the South Hills my whole life. I may have passed you in Kuhn's or Eating Park sometime!!! It is a small world. I hope everything goes as planned for your operation, and hugs to dear Max. You are doing the right thing keeping him in his home. Gheez 4 flights of stairs, glad I never did an open house there I would be exhausted!! Blessings
Patti

Well, to clarify...one level is the basement where my laundry room is and although the third floor is finished and furnished, I rarely go up there! I don't know how long ago it was since you moved away Patti, but you may have been in my house....about 8 years ago my house was on the Dormont Library House Tour.

Still waiting to hear if my niece is willing to come to Pittsburgh for a few days. I also do not have a bathroom on my first floor so steps could be an issue....although my doctor says I can walk them as soon as I am released! :confused: My back up plan will be to find a local pet friendly hotel. This whole thing is complicated and STRESSFUL!! :eek:

I know MB, I can only imagine the stress for you and I feel so badly you have to go through it right now.

Your house sounds beautiful. I love older homes, they have so much charm and character.

I have a brother in law and sister in law in Pittsburgh. Unfortunetly, we have not seen them since hubby's mom died. It is his older brother and he had a stroke and is pretty much an invalid for quite a few years now. I think they live on Wellseley wherever that is, I'm not sure.

Saying prayers your niece can come for Maxwell. When Zoe lost her hearing a few years back, I was shocked too as it seemed to be so sudden as well. But at least she stopped being afraid of thunder storms.:)

Mary Beth:
Unfortunately I was gone from there by the time your house was on tour. I am hoping you are able to get your operation and have your niece come to watch Max. Hope it all works out and that you have a speedy recovery. Blessings
Patti

I took Max to see the vet on Monday. It was hard, as it was the first time there since Ali passed away. It didn't help matters any that we ended up in the exact same examine room. It was impossible not to tear up. Max was an angel. The vet thinks his itching is allergies (new for Max, but Ali had them!). He gave him an injection to settle things down and ear drops for 2 weeks. That has helped a lot and he seems MUCH more comfortable. He also thinks that his hearing loss is not surprising, given he will be 14 soon. He said it was probably not as sudden as I thought and thinks that I am noticing it more now that it seems to be completely gone. In hindsight, I think he is right and there were subtle indications that it was going for quite awhile. He said the changes in his behavior are also not unusual. He said he is missing Ali and trying to adjust to life without her and that changes were very common. His eyes are cloudy, but he said they looked okay. I have been putting moisturizing drops in them 3-4 times a day. Overall, he said he was doing really good for his age. :) Such a relief!!

Well, we are off for a ride in the car - Max's favorite thing - and a trip to the pet store. He loves going there and I try to take him as often as possible, since I am not able to walk a lot right now. We have 7 different pets stores we go to!

MaryBeth:
Glad to hear Max is doing better. That sounds like my kind of day 7 pet stores what fun you two will have! Hope you are doing well. Blessings
Patti

Wow, you have 7 pet stores to choose from! awesome fun for Maxwell.

Any word on if your neice can come stay with Max or did you end up postponing your surgery?

Glad Ma got a good report form the vet and that the shot helped with his allergies. It really can make them miserable. :( My golden had terrible allergies, which is how she ended up on prednisone for so long. :( I'd never do that again if I had any other choice.

hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

I think Maxwell had a good report and the vet's comments about his hearing are the same we were told about Zoe; that most of us think it is "sudden" but it was just the pup learning how to compensate as the hearing diminished. It makes sense.


I am so happy you and Maxwell go to pet stores, what fun:D:D:D:D:D We are taking Koko for more rides as well and now that he gets to be top dog and sit on mama's lap he is a happy camper. we take him to see my mom and he knows now that it is her building and how to find her room. So cute.

Oh MB, I hope you are doing ok but I suspect it is rather like me. Up and down and the downs are pretty bad - still. We are quite the pair actually, bum knee, bum arm and we both lost our girls that meant everything to us and they both had beautiful black rimmed eyes.

I imagine Alivia and Zoe are turning all the heads in heaven they were both so beautiful. Our girls:):):):)

Love you tons

Patti, not 7 in one day! :D We just vary which one (or 2) we go to.

Sharlene, I actually left a few out! There are at least 11 or 12 pet stores within a 15 minute radius of my house! We definitely have a good selection!

I feel better that Max got a good report from the vet. It is bizarre how soundly he sleeps, though. The other morning I tried to wake him so he could go out before I left for work. I started by gently shaking the bed, then shaking it harder, then petting him, then rubbing his ears....then I lifted his head and it flopped to the side like a wet noodle!! Fortunately, I could see him breathing but it was almost like he was unconscious! I was going to video it, but the flash from my camera FINALLY made him wake up!

Addy, you are exactly right. I am okay, but there are still a lot of downs. I cannot talk about Ali without crying and I still see those last moments over and over and over in my mind. I miss her terribly, but never could have let her suffer. We were fortunate to have our beautiful girls for the time we did.

I still have not gotten a definitive answer from my niece about watching Max when I am in the hospital. I have friends and family that are willing to stop in to take care of him. I may end up doing an elaborate schedule of home visits. Certainly not ideal, but it may be the best I can manage...and certainly better than a kennel (not even a consideration!).

Mary Beth if we did not have Koko and Maxwell I don't know how we would have coped.


Is Maxwell sleeping so soundly because he cannot hear? You should video it, that is a good idea.:):):)

I know you will figure it out and lots of friends and families stopping by for Maxwell may work out just fine.:) I am crossing all fingers and toes.

Have a wonderful weekend

I was thinking the same thing, that Maxwell sleeps better and more deeply as he doesn't have as many external noises to bother him and he use to. They stay on a bit of alert when they hear other things going on.
Molly likes her sleep and some mornings, (in winter when it's dark out or rainy) she doesn't want to get up and I have to convince her but she will usually open an eye and look at me with that message of, yea, mum, I don't think so, it's not even light out yet. LOL Of course then there are the weekends when I want to sleep in (like today) and she is huffing and puffing around the room trying to get me up because she is ready to go. She only does the limp flop when she doesn't want to do something, like have her leash put on to go out side, or stand up to go to bed and rather be carried, then she is just a limp noodle. LOL

Anything that works would be good including an schedule of people in and out to take care of Max as needed. We will be doing something similar with our daughters cats while she is away this summer.

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin