Moon got spayed.  It has been many, many years since I've had to spay my own animal.  I didn't really know what to expect.  I called the vet when she was 4 months old and asked when they usually do it.  6 months, they said.  So we booked an appointment for January.  I crossed my fingers and hoped she wouldn't go into heat early.  I heard Siamese do that.  But, all went well.  I dropped her off in the morning.  She cried.  I worried.  They called me a few hours later to say she was in recovery.  I picker her up on my way home from work.  I let her out and put the cone on her.  I think she hated the cone more than she hated the surgery.  She was quite sore for at least a week and I kept her crated at night and while we were at work, to keep the running and jumping to a minimum while she healed.  But, all in all, everything went well.  I opted not get get the pain meds, as I didn't want her to feel better than she actually was, again, to keep running and jumping to a minimum.  Here we are 2 months later, and all her fur is back and you would never even know she had surgery.  I'm guessing it's just an old wive's tale that animals will calm down after getting altered.  It's clearly not the case here.

Here is is, begging for me to open the door and give him treats.  I was starting to get worried when he started to come around less often.  No one else was feeding him that I was aware of.  One day he came home and he sneezed.  It sounded very wet, and he sounded filled up.  The neighbour noted he had been coughing.  I called the vet.  They suggested that he may have FIV virus and that some cats just sneeze all the time.  They suggested a supplement.  I was adamant that this was a new development and that, as a barn cat, he wasn't always around in the morning (mostly just in the winter) So, they gave him a long lasting antibiotic injection.  I thought he was feeling better but then he started coming around even less.  I didn't think that the antibiotic would be bothering him after 2 weeks.  He started only showing up every 3 days or so, first eating half a dish of food.  Then a handful of treats.  He showed up Christmas evening for a little nibble.  I went over to the neighbors a few days later to collect him from the basement, and I locked him in the coop with his food.  He ate a bit, then panicked, escaping into the run and being trapped there all night.  He grabbed a little nibble that morning and then followed me the rabbit building and disappeared underneath.  No one had seen him for days.  

 The morning I took my tree down there was a light dusting of snow.  I yelled for Felix several times that morning.  As I dragged my tree out onto the doorstep, I noticed his footprints.  I went out looking for him, and found him under the rabbit building.  Was he under there the last few days? Did he not feel so well that he couldn't get to the chicken coop for food?  He came out to see me and I carried him to the coop.  Instead of just locking the cat flap, I had set up the wire dog crate that I bought when I got him.  Complete with new mat, new cat bed, litter box, wet food, dry food and water.  After being in there a week and only pooping twice, barely eating, and weight loss, I knew it was time to call the vet again.  Called Monday and got him in on Tuesday.  The vet said he was having a hard time breathing.  He suggested an Xray.  My first thought was that the antibiotics did not work.  When ha called back and said that Felix was only able to use about 30% of his lung function due to Pleural Effusion.  Which is fluid in the sacs the surrounds the lungs.  He said it was very common and that they see about 40 per year.  He said that it is usually caused by a tumor somewhere in the body and that he doesn't have long.  That if I wait, he could die a horrible, terrible death.  My first thought was (because of Covid) that they do not allow you to be with your animal.  I told him I needed a few days.  He asked if I wanted to try a diuretic, but that it probably won't work.  I figured that since he was coming home, it was worth a try.  It was worth my peace of mind to know I did what I could to save my boy.

I brought him in the house and set him up in the crate.  I didn't want him to be cold and I wanted to be able to give him his medication and cuddle with him.  I was very torn between taking him outside where I know he probably would have been happier.   It seemed all the diuretic was doing was making him thirsty.  He hadn't pooped in more than 5 days.  I had to make the decision.  I had to make that phone call.  I called a different vet, one that actually had a room to set you up in to spend time with your pet.  After a short discussion, they decided that this was, indeed, the right choice.  She also mentioned another cause of Pleural Effusions is FIP, which is the feline version of the coronavirus.  They gave Felix the sedation, which caused him to have more difficulty breathing, and he passed before he had the final injection.  I was glad I could be with him, but I am definitely sad that my boy wont be here to keep my lap warm any more.

Yes, you read that right. I bought a kitten. I was looking for a specific cat. Light coloured. Short haired. Preferably female. I looked for months. Every free kitten was either spoken for within minutes or I was ignored. The shelters had a backlog of people waiting for kittens. Everyone wanted one because a lot of people were laid off for months, so they decided it was a good time for a new companion. After waiting and looking for months and having been repeatedly disappointed and heartbroken, I decided the only way I was going to get a kitten was to buy one (and I don’t mean someone’s random backyard cat) In order to legally ask for money for a cat or dog here in Nova Scotia, the animal must come with a vet health certificate. Scrolling through some ads, I finally found something I never thought I’d have. A purebred cat. So, in September, I picked up a little seal point Siamese kitten with double paws (polydactyl) and called her Moon. 🌙

So far she isn’t the typical Siamese. She isn’t very vocal. She isn’t very clingy. She’ll be 5 months old next week and her spay is scheduled for next month. I would have totally adopted an adult, but I thought Sara would take better to a kitten. Sara hates her. Moon torments poor Sara every time she moves. She’s relentless. And then she falls asleep in your lap and you just stare at her because she’s so darn cute. She totally entertaining. My husband, who is not an animal person, who was completely against getting a second cat, who has never picked up an animal on purpose, picks her up. Carries her around. Put her to bed and let’s her back out. Let’s her sit on the arm of his chair to watch the fish tank. You can’t not like a kitten. I think it had changed him. I can only hope that one day, Moon and Sara will live in harmony and even enjoy each other. I did, after all, get her because I didn’t want Sara to be lonely.

I thought Crews, my rescue dog, would love her. When he goes outside he looks for Felix, the barn cat. Mind you, he usually runs him over or jumps on him, but for some reason he thinks this giant orange cat should play with him. But I think Crews was actually scared of this tiny creature. He eventually realized he could play with this one, and it plays back. But he needs to be gentle. Hey don’t play a lot, it she does like to be near him sometimes when she sleeps.

It has been nearly 17 years since I’ve had a kitten. And this is my first Christmas in as many without Holly. This years tree has a few less ornaments on, to save them from little paws.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone. Let’s hope the next year will be better than the last

Growing up, I always wanted a black cat. Holly was my number 1 for a long time.  I got her as a Christmas present back in 2003, just a couple months after I lost my girl, Spice.  Holly was definitely my Christmas kitty.  You'd always find her under the tree.  I always made sure there was a bell hanging low on the bottom of my own tree that she could tap.  She used to come when I called her.  You could ring a bell and she would come running.  Or make a high pitched squeal.  She could fly across the backyard in about 4 leaps.  We called her Super Kitty, Holly, Peanut, Pea, Poo, Poo-pea, Babe.  She didn't like to be picked up, she didn't like to be held, if I tried to kiss her, she put her feet on my face.  She was a very petite girl, topping out at 6.5lbs after she had her kittens at 1 year old. She mostly sat around 5.5 lbs.  In later years she dropped to 4.5lbs.  She loved to be petted.  She would sit and stare at you and if that didn't work, she would reach up and tap your arm.  Pet her cheeks, her head, her chin, pull her tail.  You'd hardly ever hear her purr. 

After we moved into our own house, a couple days before Christmas in 2010, she spent her time under the tree or hiding in the spare room.  After 6 months, we were all very unhappy.  So she went back to live with my parents.  Where she lived until Monday.  

A couple years ago we found that she was peeing in the house.  Behind the tv or in the closet.  And it was brown.  She'd been treated a couple times for infections.  Also found out she had a heart murmur and was in the early stages of kidney failure.  I started buying a lot of canned food to make sure she was getting enough hydration.  The last couple months she started slowing down, having difficulties climbing and jumping.  A couple weeks ago she started getting wobbly on her feet.  Last Friday, I noticed she'd lost even more weight, her eyes were starting to sink in, she looked sad.  My father said she was happier outside, but I was concerned she wasn't going to come back.

Monday, July 6, 2020, I called to see if I could bring her to my dog's appointment that evening.  They told me I wouldn't be able to be with her, because of Covid-19.  I left work early and asked my parents to bring her down.  They were waiting for me when I got home.  Dad asked if he could come with because he wanted to know if Holly was going to be alright. I had to tell him she wasn't coming home.

We brought her in the house and let her out of the carrier.  The floor was too slippery and she couldn't stand upright.  I put a blanket down for her and brought her some treats.  I didn't think she'd be interested, but she wolfed them down like she was starving.  I picked her up and her belly was swollen.  I don't think she could pee.  Dad thought that maybe that's all she needed and that she'd feel better.  I feel like this was the advanced stages of her kidney failure.  She was weak, not a lot of interest in food.  I would have loved to fix my baby, but I just couldn't see it.  

They took her from me at the vet, sedated her and brought her back.  I sat in the passenger seat of my car, with the door open, so at least she could breathe fresh air and look around as she got sleepy.  They took her away and brought her back wrapped in a white sheet.  I brought her home and buried her next to Isis, under the pine tree.  Unfortunately, we don't have any fir on our property, so I figured under the pine would suffice, where she could watch the birds.  Christmas will never be the same without my Pea.  Visiting my parents won't be the same.  This cat has been apart of me for over half of my life.  She healed my heart after I lost Spice.  It broke me that she wouldn't be living with me as she grew old.  

Here's is a small collection of pictures taken over the last 16 years.  There are so many, but I picked ones that represented her.

**This is an account of what I am going through in hopes it gives some insight to heartworm treatment. I am not a vet. Please be sure to contact you vet if your pet is sick.

7 months ago, we adopted Crews. He from the southern states, where dogs come in contact with heartworm frequently. So, unfortunately for him, he’s heartworm positive. At the boarding facility he was at, they gave him a treatment of doxycycline, which is used to weaken the heartworm so it can be killed more easily. When I picked him up, they gave me a vial of ivermectin (a dewormer) to give him once a week for 6 months. This is considered a slow-kill method. The benefits of this are that is easier on the dog. The downside is, that gives the heartworms more time to do more damage to the heart.

We went to the vet a few weeks ago to get the testing done, hoping he’s now be heartworm negative. But we wouldn’t be so lucky. He tested positive, again. I left with several hundred dollars worth of doxycycline and a couple heartgard pills. (Which are also ivermectin) The next step would be 3 injections over a couple months and days spent at the vet for observation to make sure his heart can handle the treatment. This will cost up to $2000. I reached out to the rescue who suggested I continue on with the weekly ivermectin treatments for a couple more months. The vet is saying that will only prevent babies in the bloodstream, which he is free of, and that it won’t do anything for the adults in his heart. Basically just waiting for them to die of old age, which could take 2 years. In the meantime, a dog on heartworm treatment is supposed to be on strict cage rest.

Feb 5: I just heard back from the vet and she found a newer study she called the Doxymectin treatment. This suggests using the doxy in conjunction with a monthly treatment of Advantage Multi, for 6 months. This will cost $140.

July 6:  I booked Crews' appointment to get tested.  Because of Covid, I was not allowed to go inside with him.  I also booked an appointment to have Felix, the barncat, weighed so he can get dewormer, and for Holly, to be euathanized (more on that in a later post).  As I sat in my car holding my sedated cat,  balling my eyes out, my phone rings, "I've got great news for once!  Crews tested negative for heartworm!" 

To be honest, I wasn't thinking of him at that point.  But, I'm so relieved that this is over.  I'm not sure how I would have handled it at that point, if it were bad news.

I got home and I put Felix on the ground, he slowly crawled out of the carrier, looking around cautiously.  I thought I'd give him a head start, because now, Crews is allowed to run!  

Neither animal took their opportunities, one followed me around for half an hour, just out of reach, glaring at me, showing me his displeasure with being treated for worms.  The other wanted to go in the house and go to bed.
Crews is heart worm negative!  Let the training commence!

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know how Isis is. If not, let me introduce you. This beautiful face, is my whole heart. We adopted her back in June of 2010. Brought up from a high-kill shelter in Georgia, with a few others, she found her way into our home and hearts. And now she’s gone.

Isis was an American Staffordshire Terrier. Isis was happiest at home, playing with ball, laying in the sun with a full belly. She was happy being the only dog. She wasn’t a big fan of other dogs, especially if they rushed up to her, but she did okay with them. She loved children but really couldn’t be bothered with most adults unless they had food. She was a horrible watch dog, though I’m sure if someone stole her food, it’d be a different story.

Isis loved to run. She would play ball until her feet were bloody. Literally. We had to take the ball from her because she was so tired chasing it, we didn’t even realize she ripped a toenail, and then had to be carried to the house because she was exhausted. She just kept bringing it back to be thrown again. If you were just trying to relax, she brings you a slimy ball and put it it your lap. Give it a nudge and look up at you. If you decided not to throw it, she’d eventually grab it and run around with it by herself. She also loved going for walks. She was amazing on leash. Right beside you. Ears back, tail straight. Nothing swayed her attention. Except a child.

Isis also loved to eat. She knew when breakfast and supper were, and would let you know 2 hours before, so you wouldn’t forget. You’d only have to say “Suppie!” And she’s come running out and sit on the mat, waiting for you to say it’s okay. Drooling all the way. In the evening she would sit and stare and you a whine, hoping you’ll give in and give her treats. She waited every Sunday morning for her egg with her breakfast. And she could smell you peel a banana from down the hall. She would also check out the garbage cans when you weren’t home.

Isis likes going places, but not for long. She always got super excited to go for a drive but had no patience for the actual drive. She made the weirdest noises in the car. Once we got where we were going, she needed to be kept busy. She didn’t like stopping. And she was more than happy to go back home.

Isis loves to be comfy. She was never allowed on the furniture, but we’d occasionally find her curled up on a chair. Sometimes I’d pick her up and put her in the bed. She’d drop like a rock and roll to the side so you couldn’t get her back off. The bed was really high and I never wanted her to jump off, but she was not going willingly. She loved her beds and usually needed to fluff them up herself before laying down.

After making it two years with people who obviously didn’t care, and finding her way to Nova Scotia, she came to us. She was not what we were looking for, but she’s definitely what we needed. We looked at 2 others dogs and things just didn’t work out. We got Isis. 7 years after beating those odds, she broke her leg. We spent a thousands to fix it, only to have to have it amputated 7 months later. Shortly after, we found out it was osteosarcoma. They told us she’d have 6 months to 2 years. She healed. She fought. She won. My Southern girl, rescue, pitbull, tripod, cancer survivor. And then she got sick. And she fought. And we didn’t know how to fix her. And I didn’t want her suffering anymore. And we said good bye. I’ve been broken ever since. March 2, 2019 my heart broke and it will never heal. But I’m trying hardest to start my mind away from those last days and remember all the things I told you here. The noises she made when people came to the door because she wanted to see them. She sad resigned sigh she made when I gave her a bath. The weight of her head in you leg when you’re sitting out on the doorstep. Her waiting by the window for my husband to come home. The grunts when I told her to lay down and she protested but did it anyway. Those beautiful eyes and that quiet but playful spirit. Her company when I was lonely or sad. Always there when I needed someone to listen. Always there to try to sit on me when I tried to do exercises on the floor.

We recently adopted a dog. But no one will replace my baby. The one who was always there for me. The one who played with the cat and tolerated everything they did to her. Who never gave a chicken or rabbit a second glance. She moved into the house with us and she will forever be here.

Rest In Peace, my love. I will see you when I get home ❤️

Jan. 2019:  Around Christmas I started noticing that Isis (my dog) had been drinking a lot more water than usual. I noticed her backbone sticking out more. But I wasn't sure if it was because she's getting older (almost 11) and the fact she's missing a hind leg? I wasn't sure.  I also noticed the barn cat had tape worm. So I grabbed him a dewormer, then I picked up one for Isis, too. This did not help with her thirst or her backbone.

Jan 22:  To the vet.  We had a blood test done, wondering if maybe she had diabetes. Teeth are good, heart is good, kidneys are good. It's her liver. That's not good. We tried 10 days of antibiotics, incase it was an infection of her liver. During those days, she decided she didn't want to finish eating her meals (she loves her food), has a hard time getting her back leg under her, belly started to swell, can't do the steps anymore. Still drinks a lot, poop looks good, doesn't urinate excessively. We bought a high quality canned food to mix into her dry food, which seems to help.

Feb 5:  Back to the vet. Belly is huge. I had to put down more mats so she can get around.  The vet wants to do X-rays. X-rays show an enlarged liver and possibly her spleen. And a whole belly filled with fluid. Can't see anything else.  They took a sample from her belly. The fluid is not clear, but blood-tinged and full of cells. They made a slide and am now waiting to hear what the cells are. They're thinking cancer.  She mentioned trying diuretics to help with the fluid and supplements to help her liver, but instead of just guessing and giving her a bunch of stuff she doesn't need, we're waiting for the results. I know she's uncomfortable, so here's hoping we have answers soon. 

Feb. 8: So I called the vet myself after not hearing anything. The vet had said they hadn't seen any cancer cells in the slide. But there is blood and pus in her belly. She said I could try antibiotics again, if I thought they had helped (they did not). She said they only two things she can think of that would be wrong would be cancer or a tear in a bowel somewhere, but neither of those things are adding up. So we can try an ultrasound, and exploratory surgery, a liver biopsy, or take another sample of stomach fluid and have it sent to the lab for testing. I stopped on my way home from work and got some diuretics to see if we can't get some of the fluid off her belly and make her feel more comfortable. So far, it doesn't seem to be working. 

Feb 16. Took her back to the vet, as I had decided to do another fluid sample, as the only other option I was considering was the ultrasound and I would have had to take time off work to drive to the city and it would have cost $400. Monday is a holiday, so they won't be able to send the sample off until Tuesday, hoping to have an answer by Thursday.

Feb. 23: Results are back.  Still no answers. The lab says either a tumor (still no sign of cancer cells), or a walled off abscess.  They suggest a CT scan, but there isn't anyone around who has one.  An ultrasound probably wouldn't give us any more answers. I can tell she is now very dehydrated, drinking excessively, not really interested in food. She's very uncomfortable and can't get around due to carrying the extra weight with less muscles on a single back leg. Her leg is also swollen.  She's breaking my heart. We could do an exploratory and try to fix what's wrong or make her comfortable. She said I could try antibiotics again, anti-inflammatories, and steroids. I've got the weekend to think it over. 

That’s right. I love “pit bulls”. I put that in quotations because pitbull isn’t a breed. It’s a generalization of appearance. Stocky bodies, blocky heads, short fur. One of the most common breeds to be called a pitbull is the American Staffordshire Terrier. I also happen to have one.

Her name is Isis. And before you ask, she’s a 9 year old rescue dog and named after the Egyptian Goddess.

I can tell you two things. 1: that she is an amazing dog. And 2: that I am a responsible pet owner and if she weren’t good with people, I wouldn’t take her into stores and public parks. But I do, because she is. She loves kids. And food. And balls. And food.

When people come up to me, they tell me what a beautiful dog she is. Sometimes they ask if they can pet her. Then they ask what kind of dog she is. If they’re already petting her and seen comfortable, I’ll tell them she’s a pitbull. And they’re like, “Oh!” Sometimes they’re like, “Okay!” And they’ll pet her a little more. And sometimes they’ll tell me that their daughter/son has one, too. If they seem nervous before they even pet her, I’ll tell them she’s an AmStaff, because most people don’t know what that is. Does that seem counterproductive to trying to advocate the breed? Maybe, but I don’t want to scare someone off before they know her. I don’t want them to make assumptions. Again, a lot of people have no idea what an AmStaff or American Staffordshire Terrier is. So I tell them that so they aren’t concerned about what she may do, or I tell them pitbull so they’re not confused on breed. I try to gauge people before deciding on my answer. I do know that some people are more knowledgeable about dog breeds, and sometimes I will say AmStaff and they’ll go “oh, a pitbull!” And then continue to tell me how beautiful she is. Since getting my dog, several of my friends have gone out to get themselves a “pitbull” or mix.

I love taking her out and letting people meet her.

One of my coworkers has a mix and I’ve heard her try to explain to people why she wanted her dog before they even meet her. I hear “why would you want dog like that?” And she’s left to defend her choice. Which is sad. You should never have to defend your choice of dog breed. I’m not a fan of small dogs. I figure if you want a small dog, why wouldn’t you just get a cat? But it was their decision, not mine. Their choice, not mine. And I don’t ask why. It’s not my business.

Every once in a while someone will disagree with the choice and then try to make up for it by saying “Oh it’s all in how they’re raised!” NO, it’s not. A lot of dogs in shelters or rescues weren’t “raised right”. And mine wasn’t. She was tied to a tree for 2 years. With her mouth shut from a muzzle (because she yips when she’s tied, so we don’t do that) That’s not being raised right. And once they hit shelters or rescues, so you think they’ll will get adopted out of they have aggression issues? Surely not, if the shelter has any morals.

These breeds are extremely forgiving. And that’s what makes them so great. Do you know one of the main factors that makes them not great? Poor breeding. Backyard beeeders. People who don’t care about the lineage, the health, the disposition of the dogs they are breeding. Just out to make a quick buck. And inbreeding is a big factor, too. And that goes for every breed out there, not just “pitbulls”.

Why does it seem like there are more “pitbull” attacks in the news? Because most people don’t have any idea what breed it actually is. AmStaffs, American Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers and several other breeds and mixes there of, appear to have similar features. So they automatically become “a pitbull”. There are several other “aggressive” breeds out there, but you don’t see state or province wide bans on ex. huskies. BSL is not the answer.

Did you know that “pitbulls” tank higher in temperament testing than retrievers? And that “pitbulls” were actually nicknamed the “nanny dog” for how well they were with kids? I’m not telling you to leave your baby home alone with your dog, no matter what the breed.
Here’s a link: www.google.ca/amp/dogtime.com/dog-health/general/1220-american-pit-bull-terrier-temperament-dog-bites/amp

It’s always good to use precautions around any dog you aren’t familiar with. Always ask before you pet someone’s dog. And teach your kids respect, dogs aren’t meant to be ridden or have their lips pulled. A dog can only take so much, and why risk your child?
And if you own a dog, know your dog. Don’t put your dog in a situation where someone, or your dog, could get hurt. You know what they’re comfortable with, don’t put them in a situation they’re not. Not long ago I was at work and there was a greyhound hanging its head out of a truck window. I went out to see another dog, one I was familiar with, and I must have gotten too close to the greyhound, because It lunged and snapped at me. My first thought was “Why would you allow your dog to hang out a window of your vehicle, if he dog is aggressive, or protective of the vehicle, unattended?” And then I thought, “ What if I were a child and thought I could pet it?” Not to mention that this dog was in this truck alone for several hours, it would have been best just to leave the dog at home.

In closing, these dogs cannot speak for themselves, so we must do it for them. And I will.

I debated putting this into the recipes catergory, but essentially, it's for Isis. Tomorrow is her 7th adoptiversary. She's around 9 years old, but it's been 7 years since we adopted her. And last year with all her issues, I wasn't sure we'd have another birthday with her. So I'm making her a cake. Well, cupcakes really. I found this recipe online.

http://thelittlesloth.blogspot.ca/2014/08/dog-birthday-cupcakes-for-knoxs-first.html?m=1


I didn't have applesauce so I substituted for banana. I mean, that's just common sense, right? So instead of the 1/4 cup applesauce, I used 1/2 cup of mashed bananas.

Its more of a paste consistency than a batter.

And Voila! Going to frost them with peanut butter :)

Isis likes them. But she'd probably like anything. I ate one myself, and found it kind of dry. I added some Nutella on top of mine and it was quite tasty!

Isis has a swollen leg. Yes, the one she broke.  She puts very little weight on it, and it is warm to the touch.  It appears to be under or around the steel plate they put in back in February.  I will be calling the vet tomorrow morning.

I took Isis to the vet and they took someX-rays, and said it didn't look good. He made an appointment for me to see the surgeon again, the surgeon wanted to do a biopsy. They weren't sure if it was an infection from the plate or a tumour.

I drove her to the surgeon almost an hour and a half away. He said my options were to treat it as an infection, which would consist of surgery and reconstructing the bone, harsh antibiotics and many follow ups. Amputation, or euthanasia. Which, he was not suggesting.

Day 1: Isis came home just an hour after her amputation surgery. She has staples and a bandage. And she was as high as a kite. She was quite wobbly getting around and whimpered a bit. I hand fed her supper and a cookie. I put her in her crate for the night after giving her a pain killer. Around 2:30 am she started crying loudly. I let her out after giving her another cookie and letting her go to the living room to drink what seemed like a gallon of water. She seemed to settle down until I got up this morning.

Day 2: Isis started whining this morning. Then I realized she had to pee, really bad. She followed me around the house while I tried to get dressed, as I refused to go outside in the cold without my clothes on. I grabbed a towel in case I needed to help support her and snapped her leash on. I carried her down the steps and set her on the ground. And then she peed. A lot. She did great all on her own. I carried her back up the steps and let her in the house. I fed her breakfast, her anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and pain meds. And ahe drank another gallon of water. Before I left for work I put her back in her crate. I came home to her crying and I let her out for another gallon of water. Then I took her outside and she peed again. Inside for supper and more meds. Then she layed on the floor and started to cry again. Time for a poop I guess! She's now resting on the floor. Hopefully she will have a better night tonight.

​

Day 14: Isis seems to be getting around okay, but seems uncomfortable these last few days. Yesterday we had half of the staples removed. The vet said it could be the staples that are causing her discomfort. Next Monday we will get the rest of the staples removed. She is also picking at her inscision and making it irritated. She has to wear the cone of shame.

Day 20:  We had the rest of the staples removed today.  Seems like she may have started to have a reaction to the staples, so I'm glad they came out.  Hopefully in a few weeks the incision will be fully healed and we can start life back to normal. For a long as we have.  I also found out today the results of the biopsy test.  Osteosarcoma.  Which is the worse possibility.  I will eventually kill her.  I'm hoping by removing her leg, we'll have her another couple of years at least. But only time will tell.

Nov. 4: Today, after some time of trying, Isis has walked half way up the stairs by her self. This is a big accomplishment. We'll keep working on it. Hoping she can do the set by her self before it snows.

Nov 28: As of today, it's been almost 3 weeks since Isis has been going up the steps all by her self. We put down some roofing shingles to give her better grip. But the first time I saw her do it, it was like watching a child take their first steps! I was so proud! And everytime I see her do it, I'm proud. Every step is an accomplishment. We've also had to put down a runner in the living room and a small mat in front of her crate.

Im glad to see her almost back to her normal self.

May 8, 2017:
I love this animal. She's doing great. She's been slipping on the floors so we put down a runner from the edge of her bed to the door mat. And another in front of her crate. I also bought her rubber boots to give her more traction. She's doesn't wear them often, but sometimes it seems she falls more than other times. Today she had a bath, which is way easier for me now that there's only 3 legs and she can't stand in the tub. (Isis hates baths) and then we got her some flea treatment. She does t have as much energy as she used to, but wanted to play ball today. She takes a lot of breaks. We don't play as long because I don't want her to tire too much. But she about 9 years old now. We think. I think we'll give her a great birthday party this year.