Thankfully, Mike is feeling much better today. He's staying awake, barking and even going outside without being coaxed. It must have been from not having the Previcox for two days, at least I hope that's what it was. I'm just going to make sure I never run out again.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT LITTLE MISS GIDGET DID LAST NIGHT!!! I had to make a run to the vet's house at 9:45 last night. Don't worry, she's fine, but she is SUCH a trouble maker. I think I told you how she loves to play tug with the retractable leash when she's outside sometimes. Wellllllll....... last night, she was having a joyous time playing this wild and wicked game, but I noticed the leash around her leg wasn't coming off. She always wraps herself in the leash, but it's always just fallen off. I went outside and picked her up. Most of it (the loose part)fell off from around her leg, but she had manage to tie herself up with a good knot around the ankle between her leg and foot.

Now, Miss Wild Woman (as Joanne calls her) would NOT sit still long enough for me to try to untie it. I tried sitting on the chair and petting her, rubbing her belly, tempting her with a toy to get the focus off of me... nothing worked.. as soon as my hand went anywhere near her leg, she either flailed wildly or growled and snapped at my hand (she didn't really try to bite me but tried warning me off... it didn't work.. I kept trying). When I realized how tight the knot was, I decided the only way to get it off was to cut it off (there's another $30 for a new leash). Well, I got the scissors and was more determined than ever that I was gonna get this thing off. Nope.. she was more determined than I was.

I have to admit, it was kind of funny watching her walk around with the handle of the leash plopping next to her, in front of her and almost behind her every time she walked, and somehow she even managed to jump up on the couch with this new appendage attached to her leg. Finally, I gave up and decided I needed to be two people to win over this 13 pound monster and was just going to let her sleep with it last night (maybe she would chew it off during the night, but I doubted it).

I called Joanne and asked her if she could maybe stop over sometime today and told her what happened. She laughed and said, "Only the Wild Woman... can you bring her over now?" So I did. It took Joanne to sit on her, me to hold her head up and Sandra (Joanne's sister) to get it off of her. Somehow she was able to pull it off and save the leash. The knot was still tied when she got it off... lucky it must have been loose enough to do it, but she had the scissors there and ready if she couldn't have done it. I'll tell ya.. that knot was a bitch to untie... as bad as a kids tennis shoe that hasn't been untied for months.

Oh... another thing. When I got there, Joanne had all the dogs in the yard. But.. one of the cats came to say hello.... this was Gidget's first encounter with a cat. I think she thought it was a squirrel and went nuts. I was sitting and holding her on my lap, and she was wicked trying to get out of my arms to get to it. The kicking and twisting... my gosh, you woulda thought she was possessed. Oh what a night it was. I have a feeling I could probably start a journal about her antics and in a few months, I'll have my own "Marley and Me". (Funny cuz when I got to Joanne's house, I mentioned to her that Marley has nothing on this little one, and she accidentally started calling her Marley LOL... the name fits)

Ok.. time to feed the crew. Just wanted to stop in and let you know Mike is feeling better and Gidget's still a brat. LOL

Love & Blessings To All

I'm really worried about Mike. All he's done the past few days is sleep. He has eaten (so that's a good thing), but he has absolutely no interest in anything else. Of course, he doesn't want to play with his sister when he's feeling bad, but he doesn't seem to care about anything. I can't even get nose kisses from him, so I know he's not feeling good... and last night when we went to bed, I leaned over to give him his goodnight kiss on his head, and he growled. He slept for about an hour and woke up panting, so I know he was in pain. Thank God just petting and talking to him quietly calmed him enough to fall back to sleep.

He doesn't even want to go outside. He's started lifting his leg and peeing in his diaper and never asks to go out anymore. When I "make" him go out by putting his leash on him and coercing him to go out, he will poop and pee... but he never makes the effort to go out on his own.

Just a little while ago, he finally woke up for the second time today (it's already 1:30), but it seems he just woke up long enough to go to another spot to lay down. Before he had a chance to lay down, I started petting him and talking to him... asking him if he had to go out and telling him I want him to feel better. He just looked at me... nothing, no nose kisses either. I put the leash on him hoping he'd get up and move a little, but he sat still and wouldn't budge. The only thing else I could think of was feeding him... it was almost time anyway. So I heated up a little ground turkey and put it over a little kibble and Thank You Lord, he actually came into the kitchen and ate!!! I am so grateful that he's at least still eating. After he ate, I put the leash on him, and even though he resisted a bit, I was able to get him outside. As soon as I took the belly band off of him, there was a large puddle under him... poor guy is really having problems, but he still went out and peed and pooped... at least he got a little fresh air and movement.

As I write this, he's still sitting in the same spot (next to my chair) as he was before the last paragraph. I'm thinking it's good that he's sitting and not sleeping right now. I just wish he'd bark (strange how you wish for things that sometimes really annoy you).

I'm hoping Debs is right when she said this could have been caused because he was two days without the Previcox. The peeing in the diaper started before that, but this sleeping and moping is just the last few days. He had the meds yesterday and will get them again at 4:00 today. I'm praying she's right, and this will all take care of itself when the pills kick in again.

Alexandra said...

Those pictures were great, Joanna! I'm so glad you posted them. They looked like they had so much fun. I wish I was at your house for Christmas!

I also like how you called Mike Miracle Mike. That's sure what he is, huh?

Love,
alex

Hi Alex... I'm so glad you liked the pictures. I wish you had been here too. Can you imagine all four of our furries opening presents at the same time... what a hoot that would be. Give them belly rubs from me.

Ok.. I'm gonna go be with my guy. I hope everyone is having a great day.

OH NOOOO.... One more thing. Zorro has been very sick, and Manuel is beside himself. If any of you get a chance.. please go to his thread and read what's going on with him and possibly leave a note so Manuel will know you are watching and care. Here's the link...

http://www.imom.org/community/index.php?showtopic=4759&pid=84397&st=30&#entry84397

I don't know why, but I can't seem to get this link to work... so I guess you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser.. but please take the time to stop in to wish him well. He's been very sick too, and this stress is horrible for him. We're just praying that Zorro returns to health and Manuel is able to do the same.


Love & Blessings

Just another quick post to let you see a slide show of Gidget's first Christmas and the Christmas that Miracle Mike stayed with us to celebrate.

Here's the link. Enjoy!!!

http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj4/joanna930/Mike%20And%20Gidget%20Christmas%202008/?albumview=slideshow

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR... AND... HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!! Today, January 2nd, is MIKE'S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SINCE HIS SURGERY!!!! Yep... it's been a whole year since my guy went through the worst time of his life (and mine too).... and here he is now... still being the wonderful mutt he always was. What a trooper he is. He didn't believe a word of what the vets told us back then... a few weeks to a few months... BOY WERE THEY WRONG!!! (hands clapping).

It's been fourteen (almost fifteen) months since his first diagnosis of bladder cancer, and now an entire year since his surgery. Who woulda thunk it??? This is really a milestone that I'll remember forever. So now... we're looking forward to his second anniversary. I just know he's going to make it. He's a tough ole guy! LOL

Miss Gidget, I really believe, has been a big help in giving him a reason to hang on as long as he has. I think he believes he has to hang around for awhile to keep me sane since she's been here. LOL

She's really getting to be a good dog. If it weren't for her barking, I don't think we'd have too many problems at all. (Did I tell you that already? I don't remember). Of course, her barking isn't helped by my sister-in-law (who lives next door)... when Gidget is out there, Barb will stick her head out her door and bark at Gidge... she thinks it's funny... I just think it's stupid. I did thank her though... told her that Gidget wasn't sure if she was barking properly, and thanks to her (Barb), she's learning to bark even better. :-D

Since I've taken the barrier away from the hallway, Gidge has realized how comfortable the bed is, and when she disappears, I know right where to find her. I really had to laugh today though, because now that she can get into the hallway, she can also get into the bathroom. I have a step in shower with a curtain, and while I was in the shower and washing my hair, I felt something licking my leg. OMG... it was so funny to see this little girl in the shower getting soak and wet. I knew she was just drinking the water from under the curtain but didn't know she had decided to join me.

Ok... back to Mike... Mike and I (and little sister, Gidget) want to personally thank each and everyone of you who have been here for us since we started this journey. We came to IMOM in October, and our lives have never been the same. Without everyone that we've met (either through IMOM or Craig's List) we never would have made it, and my sweet boy would have gone to the Rainbow Bridge a long time ago. Not only with your financial support but also your love and compassion that has touched us so deeply. You have all been there for me when I have cried the most and felt joy with his healing. You've eased my mind when he had to be in the hospital and when the prognosis was so slim. I wish I could say something more than THANK YOU... but all I could do beyond that is to wish each and every one of you all the wonderful blessings that God has to offer and that every wonderful thing you have done for Mike and me comes back to you a thousand-fold.

God Bless You All
And
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SIR MICHAEL!!! YOU ARE DEFINITELY THE PRINCE OF MY HEART!!!