Dad of Lulu - sweet Lulu has crossed The Bridge

Hi Jenny we are hoping for a resolution of Lulu's cough. I just brought her down, actually she didn't want to leave her upstairs bed. I put the coffee on and bundled up and got her down, actually carried her carefully down and then let her walk outside. She did not want to pee. So I brought her in. I gave her a small helping of rice and hamburg and she gladly ate it all. So I gave her a bit more and she ate. She didn't want any water.

Lulu is calm and alert. So I am hoping the front left leg is a mild sprain. She will get a dose of antibiotics in a little over an hour from now.

I hope Lulu is feeling better today and good luck with fingers crossed for happy news from your interview.

Zoe was limping around back in October, turned out she sprained a toe and I have no idea how she did it. :rolleyes::rolleyes: I am hoping it is a mild sprain or maybe just a twisted muscle that will get better quickly.

Well noon report on Lulu, is she threw up. I did give her some food at lunch, not much, but she apparantly didn't tolerate it as she hadn't peed or poohed in 18 hours. So she started to pooh. I got her outside and she did squat and poohed good, though loose, but I would expect that.

She still hasn't peed, and I am trying to get her to do that. She is pretty sick with the effects of the cough, though I haven't heard much cough, but she is tired. I help her walk with the harness by raising up so she doesn't have to put much weight on her legs. But it's not the same, I don't think she likes to pee when I hold her, so I also put her on a small leash.

Now I may try to use the longer leash instead of the foot long one for peeing, as that may give her more initiative. She anticipates everything, that is she thinks to much. I think she prefers the basement as it is easier to go outside, no steps because the sliding basement door is at ground level.

I have some Acepromizine 10 mg, but not giving her, just was wondering if that might help relieve any anxiety. But that drug is pretty potent, as I usually would give her half a pill when a storm came by, and she would be pretty lethargic for the next 8 hours.

I will be monitoring, have to go to the bank and possibly library but that will be just half an hour and my wife will be around. I may at that time try to get her to go upstairs from outside.

I haven't given Lulu a Duramax, her half-pill that she can have once a day. She had one yesterday, so I don't like to give every day, but it might ease any pain she has. I did put some ice on her front left paw, as my wife said it looked like it might be swollen. She didn't seem to mind the ice as she left it on for about 10 or 15 minutes.

Got some self-adhering bandage and a plastic bag for Lulu. She walked on the light snow which I think was bothering her front left paw. She peed! :) she came back and chose to go to the basement. I may stay with her tonight there. Already napped a bit on the couch! Tnx on the good luck for interview, I am going to work on the informal interview for Friday.

Hi! Good luck from me on the interview too!

My Tasha (golden retriever also)got to where she only wanted to be in the basement because it has the slider door to right outside and no stairs. She hated it though if we were upstairs, she wanted to be with us, but she just couldn't do all the stairs. Poor Lulu, she'll like it better if someone is with her down there, or you'll have to carry her up and down the stairs, which is liable to be hard on your back and knees too. :(

Hang in there. Hopefully this too shall pass.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thanks on the interview. Lulu slept well last night. She did have me take her out to pee in the middle of the night. She peed again this morning, drank some water, took her meds which I wrapped in a piece of ham. She isn't hungry this morning, is quiet, did give me her paw when I asked for it once. So other than the eating breakfast she would appear to be a bit improved. I don't hear a cough as of yet, just quiet and you can tell she doesn't feel her perky self as of yet.

Well I am going to have my breakfast, I slept surprisingly well on the couch in the basement. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=4598

I'm glad she is urinating and the cough has lessened. Hope the basement sofa didnt kill your back!!!! Poor Dad.

Here is to hopes for a better day today!

Just an update before lunch-time. Lulu still hasn't eaten, other than a very small bit with her meds. I gave her half a Duramax, though I had to put it in ham, and she ate the ham, so I just had to make her take it.

I am hoping with her cough, (she's only coughed two or three times) that she is tired and she appears calm. I had her upstairs via outdoors for a while, but when I just took her out, she just wanted to come back to the basement. So there she will be, and I will continue my cleanup in the basement which I have been doing, it really got to be a mess after my dad passed away over a year ago, and I had to get all his things out.

I am thinking that Lulu should surprise me and start to eat this afternoon, she has done this before. But will watch. Maybe the new antibiotics are causing the extra tiredness or just the cold itself. I think if she stays the same this afternoon, that I would put a call into Dr. Booth this afternoon.

I have noticed that Lulu's fur is softer and a definite growing from her Cushing's Treatment. I used the furminator and was getting a lot of fur. The last time she shed was almost two years ago, and she had been treated for Cushing's then and had been on Lysodren for about a week and then taken off, because the vet then, said she could go into Addison's. The shedding Lulu did was on the day after our anniversary at a friend's home in northern Michigan. And she was excited with the dog our friend was babysitting and fur was in the air.

Anyway, back to my cleaning and lunch. Will update this afternoon.

Hello Lulu's Dad!
I too am I'm happy Lulu is urinating and the cough has lessened, now to just get her to eat...baby steps...praying she will begin eating and heal up. You're a great dad for staying with her in the basement and keeping a close eye on her...both you and your wife are doing a great job!
p.s. I hope your interview went well.

Thinking of you and Lulu...

Sharon and Norman

Thanks Sharon, and Lulu finally ate some cooked chicken breasts from Sams. My wife said she almost never refuses. Then a second small helping mixed with white rice she also ate. She doesn't want to go out much, though she sat up. She peed a couple times today, and we are hoping she will pooh too. I got her upstairs once but she really wanted to stay downstairs. I think she has a phobia of steps. When I take in upstairs I have carried her up the stairs, but she does manage to go down them. Boy, dogs sure can remember things.

She will I'm sure sleep downstairs as will me. So I cleaned up the living room area. I need to work on the rest but at least I have that room cleared out, with a tv to watch in the evening so it isn't too bad and I slept well last night.

Trying to get ready for Friday meeting with an acquaintance for an informal interview. This guy isn't the one to hire for the position, but he can tell me the details and I'm sure the school will listen to his recommendations. :)

I'm glad we have cats. Our cats are on a special diet, one of the cats needs, but I also had some Friskies cat food, which I believe I got for some strays. So Lulu seems to like this. Her cough I think is a bit better, but still there. What concerns me is the out of breath she gets. Now she is upstairs now, but I think she gets anxious because she knows it takes 3 or 4 steps to get inside or out. So next time out I'm sure she will make for the basement which is fine for me, and I think she is less anxious. I sure hope this is her cough and respiratory congestion that is causing this. Dr. Booth didn't seem to think she had pneumonia especially since her temperature was normal.

I hope this all clears up and Lulu will start to feel better. The informal interview sounds promising, so good luck with that!
Good that she is eating.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all, the interview I am hoping goes well tomorrow, though they are predicting 7 inches of snow :eek: . But I would try to meet maybe Monday. I will go if the guy is in on Friday, though.

Lulu slept very quietly last night. I have continued with the antibiotic, but did not give any cough suppressant last night or this morning. I haven't given her a Tramadol, though I think I will shortly. I gave her a Duramax yesterday, so will avoid that if possible.

Lulu ate her rice, chicken and some sausage. I will have to get more today, especially if it is going to snow. Moo (my wife) got her to pee, so I going to call her the 'dogette whisperer'. I tried to get her to pooh, but no luck, she didn't pooh at all yesterday. I have kept up her metamucil with her food.

I am concerned about this, but she doesn't appear bloated or anxious to go. She does not want to leave the security perimeter near the basement door. I am thinking of bringing one of her bedding out next time we take her out, so she sees that she has a place to lie down, and then let her sit there a while before bringing her back in.

I plan on calling Dr. Booth this morning to, to update him.

Will probably get on the treadmill myself. Lulu seems to want to go outside when I do, and usually heads to the kitchen and family room, so maybe this is way to get two birds with one stone ...

Hi all, well I had to go to Sam's and do shopping today what I was going to do for the informal lunch tomorrow for one of the possible jobs I am hoping for. We are supposed to get clobbered, so I will have to make sure Mark is in tomorrow. If they close the school, chances are not!

Lulu is holding her own. She still hasn't poohed and it's been a while since she peed. Talked to Dr. Booth and he did suggest an electrocardiograph of her heart. I made appointment with a Dr. Hawkins for a week from tomorrow, and said if they can get Lulu in earlier the better.

Moo noticed that Lulu seems to have a bit or rasping or gurgle when she breathes sometimes, so I am of the hope that maybe it's a bit of phlegm. That makes me wonder about cough suppressant. So maybe I will skip does at 1 am, since we gave at 1 pm. I better get her antibiotic and Tramadol though.

I am heating some water on a hotplate, so have to be in the basement and watch. My laptop usually lives in the basement anyway.

I was reading an article the other day about collapsing trachea; my daughter's dog has been having problems. It mentioned a cough medicine that helped that condition and then also mentioned that Tramadol could also work as a cough sup present, not as well as the actual cough medicine but that it can help suppress a cough. I had always thought of it as a medicine for pain.

Hope you both have a good Friday.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by addy

mentioned that Tramadol could also work as a cough sup present, not as well as the actual cough medicine but that it can help suppress a cough. I
Hope you both have a good Friday.

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I should check this out. I am thinking not to give her cough suppressant tonight as to see if her cough is productive. I am adding some humidity to the air, keeping the doors shut in the basement.

Lulu hasn't peed in a while and no pooh. When I get her out, she gets anxious and just wants to come back in.

I did put her in the truck for a short ride around the pond and the road a bit. She looked up and I knew she was enjoying this. Then I brought her upstairs for a while. Moo walked her down to the basement door.

I am wondering if I can stimulate her to pee or pooh. Maybe use a disposable glove with a slight bit of petroleum jelly?

My Haley had an episode once where she didn't poo for days and the vet told me to feed her green beans - that they'd make her go quickly. It took a few cups but it worked. Just a thought! Kim

Kim, I will mention that to the cook (Moo). Don't know if we have any, but worth a try. She might not eat them, though she has always been a vegetable and fruit eater.

I have put some plastic garbage bags underneath some protective cloths we have, just in case she has an accident.

We are expecting snow, I hope that doesn't scare her. But she has been licking the snow that is still there. I brought a shovel and broom into the basement, so I will have to hunt out some boots too.

What the weatherman said was a heavy wet snow. What we have in Eastern Michigan is a light (little water) snow, and it's just 3 to 5 inches. Lulu slept so peacefully the latter half the night, that I was wondering about her. She had her head and upper part on the rug and the latter part on her bed. So I left it. I have plastic and protection near her rear end to catch any accidents.

Lulu got up as I petted her and bright-eyed. She wanted out. She even walked to the door without stop, with my help of course.

BUT she didn't want to venture in the snow. After Moo is up and I'm having coffee and breakfast, I will get my tractor out and clear away the snow so she has an ample path. Maybe I can make it so she feels secure on it. The rest of the driveway will just have to wait.

I can get out, but I see the school system is closed today. So I will have to wait to see if Mark will be in to have lunch. He may not have to go to work, but he does live near the school so maybe he will still meet.

More later ... I turned on the hot plate to add more humidity.

I apologize for not having posted very often lately. And I'm afraid I don't have any great suggestions for you right now. :o

But I do want to tell you how incredibly lucky I think Lulu was on that day that she walked into your family. Wherever she came from, whatever journey she had made -- somehow she knew she was finally headed home. You are such an incredibly caring, loving dad. My heart is touched by all the things you do, large and small, to bring her comfort. I think you are her hero!!! And I'm sure that Lulu does, too. :) ;)

Sending you my very warmest thoughts on this cold, snowy morning,
Marianne

Quote:

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Other actions/effects:

Tramadol suppresses the cough reflex by binding to the mu-opioid receptor binding sites {10}. Due to the high affinity binding of the M1 metabolite to the mu receptor, the metabolite has been found to have more cough suppressant activity than the parent compound {10}.

Unlike morphine, tramadol has not been shown to cause histamine release {01} {08}

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But it also has this issue which would explain perhaps why my Zoe kept falling when on it every 8 hours.

Quote:

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The (-) enantiomer is five- to tenfold more potent in NE uptake inhibition and has less affinity for mu receptor binding than for 5-HT uptake {05}. Electrophysiological studies show that tramadol, like morphine, depresses motor and sensory responses of the spinal nociceptive system by a spinal and a supraspinal action {18}. Some opioid activity is derived from low-affinity binding of the parent compound and higher-affinity binding of the mono- O-desmethyltramadol (M1) metabolite to the opioid receptors {01}. The analgesic potency of M1 is about six times greater than that of tramadol in animal models and 200 times more potent in mu-opioid receptor binding {01}.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by addy

But it also has this issue which would explain perhaps why my Zoe kept falling when on it every 8 hours.

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I have stopped the Tramadol temporally. I am thinking that Lulu got a bit of sensitivity in her left front paw and even affected her right front pa too. That might explain her reluctance to extend the boundary line she was willing to go. You could actually see the snow line yesterday.

Now I plowed quite a bit of snow from the basement area and hand shoveled up the hill to the back porch, and then I decided to shovel the porch by both the back kitchen door and the sliding dining room door. So if Lulu is upstairs maybe she can do her business on the deck, we don't mind.

Now when I took Lulu out after I plowed, she with a bit of prodding went off the beaten path into 3 inches of snow and walked a bit, I knew she was going to do something, I hoped it would be pooh, but she peed and that was good. I brought her and praised her. So at least she has done something!

I haven't heard from Mark, I sent him an email. I know the school is closed, but I also know the administration number by heart, having called it dozens of time years ago. I will see if they came in. In any event will shower so I can get ready to go, because it will take about 45 minutes to get to the school area in this weather.

Good luck at the school:D:D:D:D

So happy Lulu peed. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Thank you Addy, the informal interview with Mark went well, and I think he will be part of the deciding committee. I really need this job.

On a sad note, I think Lulu may have felt that I would get it, she has always been good luck to us!

She passed away peacefully after I got home. I feel bad because I tried to get her to pee outside and her heart and/or lungs just weren't to it. I had bought her some ham for her pills and also got some boots at Pet Smart, they didn't fit really good, but I thought the cold was bothering her feet especially her front feet.

I feel like we have lost our reason for our happiness, she gave us such joy. We have had such a financial mess the last couple of years, and have been thankful for the help here, and help from a friend for her vet bills.

It must have been her time to go, she had been more tired the last couple of weeks, and she did live fully even as much as Monday, when she made an attempt to say hi (or good bye to her 2 1/2 year old buddy Jack Russell Terrior Bella). She did, though she didn't want to get too close.

Lots of memories, and we always took her with us on our anniversary which we did in West Branch, Michigan on Valentine's Day. We weren't going this year because of our finances. Well I better take care of my wife.

Again thank you, and though the rest of her journey has just begun ours will be in happy memories. I like the lady that died with her three children on 'Little House on the Prairie' stating to remember me with happy memories as well as sad!

Dear Bob and Moo,

My heart is breaking with yours this afternoon. Lulu has fought the good fight and flown from this old Earth on the wings of your love and devotion. I have no doubt that she carries that love with her into Eternity.

Lulu is now strong and agile once again, running in the Rainbow Fields with the wind in her ears, the sweet grasses caressing her feet, surrounded by many of our own as well as those who loved her who have gone before. She will be watching over the both of you until you are freed from this place to rejoin her.

Lulu's name has been added to the In Loving Memory thread for 2013 where she will always be remembered as an honored member of our family here at K9C.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4794

Our deepest sympathies to you both,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, and our Angels Ruby, Crystal, and Tasha

FRIEND

I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And shared her silent thoughts with me.

She’ll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more her favourite ball
A Voice far greater than my own
Has called her to His golden throne.

Although my eyes are filled with tears
I am thankful for the happy years
She spent down here with me
And for her love and loyalty.

When it is time for me to go
And join her there, this much I know
I shall not fear the transient dark
For she will greet me with a bark.

~Author Unknown

I peeked in while at work to see how things were going and was so stunned to see your post.

I am so very sorry. You were such a good dad and Lulu was so lucky to have found you.

I'm so sorry.

Oh no, I have been following along and did not expect to read this news today. My sincere condolensces to you and your wife. What you two did for Lulu was so sweet and tender, she could not have had better parents to care for her. I bet she went real happy after her long life with you. I am glad she waited to have you with her. Lots of hugs for you both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh my goodness, my heart aches to read this news. But I am so grateful to hear that Lulu passed peacefully, cradled in love. What a life well-lived. What a sweet and beautiful girl. I know you will miss her dearly.

Please know we will never forget her, and you will always be part of our family here.

Fare thee well on your new journey home, Lulu. We send our love right along with you, today and always.

Marianne

I'm so sorry to hear of Lulu's passing. My thoughts are with you.

Julie & Hannah

I am so sorry to read about Lulu. You were such great parents to your sweet girl.

hugs,
Amy

HUGS!!! I am stunned to hear of Lulu's passing. I know that we all thought she would beat this as she beat everything else that came her way.

She loved you and she knew that you loved her. That is a bond that will never go away and you will hold in your hearts forever.

My heart goes out to you and Moo. You did so much, you gave so much and she returned it with her unlimited capacity to love and be happy.

hugs,
Sharlene

I am so sorry for the lost of your beautiful Lulu. I send you all my love prayers strenght support and hugs. I know its one the hardest things.

Godspeed to you Lulu - hope you meet up with my Penny

Hugs xoxo

I am so sorry to see this but glad she went peacefully at home. Judi

I am so sorry for the loss of Lulu and my heart goes out to you and your family. We are here for you and do understand the pain you are feeling.

Godspeed sweet Lulu

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lori

I am so very sorry for your loss, Lulu knows she was loved.

Rest in peace sweet Lulu, tonight you will be our newest and brightest star in the sky......

Oh my this is a surprise. I am so saddened. Dear Lulu is now free to run wild and free from all pain. May memories of all the good times sustain you and your wife as you heal. I am so sorry. Kim

Thank you all, and I want to share a post I put on the forum my wife and I run on weight loss.

Yes, our Lulu was a treasure. She learned from me, picked berries, and I remember I would take the snow off of our little pines some 11 or so years ago, and she would mimic me, and I would thank her and tell her to be careful. Now I know the snow is a protection for the little ones. She will be remembered this Valentine's Day. We had her with us in 2005 in Holland, Michigan for our anniversary. I had thought that she had hip displasia then and would need some surgery to strengthen her hind quarters. It turned out it was Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL tear) and our Port Huron vet recommended Dr. Wilson in Romeo, who learned the precision method of turning the bones in the hind quarters. So in 2005 Lulu would have the first of two operations to correct. We hoped for 1 operation, but she and a squirrel had another idea. She chased it and pulled the other one. Dr. Wilson had said there was a 60% chance the other would go. So in 2006 she had the other operation, and thankfully healed up before our big trip, first time off the mainland of North America and headed to for our friend Pia's wedding. Lulu would spend three long weeks at our favorite kennel. That would be the LAST time she spent time there. We took everywhere. And if we went out of state we got Judi or our neighbors to watch her. We never took a long vacation after the three weeks in Australia, though she did in 2010. I was home with Lulu, and our two cats, Molly & Nellie. (Nellie watched over her Lulu every night I was with her in the basement.) So in 2006 we started a tradition on our anniversary and went to West Branch, Michigan. Why there? Well in 2003 we decided to take a fall color tour and stopped in West Branch, with our Lulu and had G's Pizza. G's is a chain of now about 7 pizarras in the state. We liked the small town atmosphere and while shopped the quaint shoppes I walked Lulu down the street from G's across the railroad tracks. Then in 2004 our Australian Pia, then unmarried, came with her Australian mom, my wife (calls herself) is her American mom LOL. We took another fall color tour, because Pia's mom Pamela wanted to see the color, and they just don't do justice to fall in Southern Australia, Adelaide where they are. So we stopped again for pizza in West Branch.

So that is how the tradition has been and every Valentine's Day since 2005 we have spent the night in West Branch, had pizza at G's Pizzeria and then stayed at the scenic Tri-Terrace Motel.

We won't be staying there this year because Lulu had been ill and we just can't afford it. We had great memories and could wander in the courtyard and in the snow. She was a great traveler and now travels with our other dogs and our parents, like my dad, who Lulu visited his last days at the nursing home he was at.

IN CONCLUSION: I must say my luncheon with Mark from the schools went wonderfully. We were there for almost and hour and a half. Mark will be on the deciding committee. I am hoping I made a good impression. I remember telling him about our Lulu and that she was seriously ill, and I told him I don't know if she will make it. I will send him a thank you and hope that I get this position. This is a position that is a very responsible one for the district. I really believe I could do well in it, and it is very challenging I know Lulu would be thrilled. I had bought her some Tim Bits donuts from Tim Horton's and she would love them. She smelled it when I got home but wouldn't eat, though our Nellie ate part of one. I did too with her about an hour ago.

I am going to leave a quotation from a 'Little House on the Prairie' episode of the 1970-80s "Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you ... "

Lulu was very special. I think she knew that she was yours forever and ever. Even more special is the bond that you, moo and lulu had together and of course the cats too. Can't forget that it is one big family. :)
Your Valentine tradition sounds just lovely and I am sure that Lulu will want you to go back whenever you can and continue to celebrate in a place that means so much to all of you. She is indeed now running again and hanging out with all of those who have gone before. I know though that she is keeping a doggy eye on your and moo.

We'll all be waiting to hear the news and hope that you get the job. Fingers crossed! Prayers said!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

What a wonderful story and tradition. I gotta tell you if you were here I'd hire you! :D I seriously hope you get the job. And I know without a doubt in my mind that dear sweet Lulu is looking down from above and smiling.

We don't accept goodbyes around here... see we get attached. We understand if it's hard to come back but we hope you will check in when you are up to it and let us know how you are doing.

Bless you. Kim