Oops .... Sorry about that

thanks for all the support from a calmer Kirsty, Tony and Duke. 

I was warned that the first two weeks were going to be hard and you would question your decision.  I'm sure for most people, normal people, this two weeks is uncomfortable.  For someone obsessive like myself, it was like being in Alice in Wonderland!

When Nixon was KICKED out of the vet hospital for being his diva self, our world turned completely upside down.  Nixon was done with the hospital and let them know by just refusing to co-operate for anyone.  He'd stand when ever anyone walked by him but when they came in to take him out, he laid down.  They'd take him outside to potty and he'd refuse to walk and made them carry him.  They'd get outside and he'd just scowl at them and even if his bladder was going to burst, refused to potty outside.

They'd bring him back inside and as soon as they turned their backs, he'd create a masterpiece with urine and poop.  They did a lot of laundry in 36 hours.  He also kept convincing them that he needed more pillows.  I'm not sure how this jedi mind trick worked but the collection he had when he left was impressive.  As much as he wore them all out, they still felt an overwhelming need to accommodate him. 

He ate like a champ and enjoyed being loved on but from time to time, he decided to sing the song of his people and Nixon can really break your heart when he sings the blues.  That's when the call came to come get my dog.  He was upsetting everyone, canine and humane, with his tune.  No artist is ever appreciated in his own time.

I did not sleep that first weekend.  Nixon refused to let me leave him.  My husband was here but that wasn't good enough.  I was allowed to go into the kitchen and the bathroom, as long as I didn't close the door (and the door to the house OPENS to the bathroom and we have a window there...I really love my dog).  I slept on the couch, the floor, where I sat, any time that he was quiet, I tried to sleep.  The medications made him wacky.  AND he got lots of gas from laying around so much. Someone from the Yahoo bone cancer list told me that the panting might be gas and to try liquid simethicone for babies.  So I gave him lots of simethicone (gasx) and that made him happy.  Check with your vet on the dosage for a dane.  I think you can do one or two pills. 

For 3 weeks, I was glued to Nixon.  My job let me work from home for about 6 weeks although my performance suffered a bit.  One night stands out in a foggy haze.  None of the pain meds were on the same schedule.  Some were every 6 hours, some were 8, and some were every 12 hours.  We had setup alarms on google calendar to tell us when to medicate him and you can reach a point where you're too tired to read or speak clearly.  Nixon got a dose of Rimadyl early and missed a dose of something else.  I sat on hold with the ER vets for 15 minutes waiting for them to pull his chart to see if what we did was going to kill him.  I think my husband and I held each other and cried that night.  We just were so tired. 

My vet is a saint and there no amounts of carrot cake that I can give him to thank him and his staff for the kindness they showed.  While Nixon was healing, we went to the vet daily for laser therapy.  They started to babysit Nixon for me (for free) so I could at least shower, eat a hot meal, and maybe get a nap.  There were many accidents and Nixon peed on me more than once.  Our shower is on the second floor and according to Nixon, that was not allowed.  If I went upstairs, he wouldn't even bother to stand, he would just pee where he was!  I can only imagine how I smelled.  As long as the girls kept him in Dr. Huff's office or at the front desk, he was an angel.  If they tried to put him in a kennel with the other dogs, he'd decorate the place and then roll in it.  Divas will be divas.

I squealed the first time he did a successful downward facing dog.  The first time he played with a toy was priceless.  The first time he ran a lap in the backyard and play growled with Cookie was even better.    And then I had to sit down because I was afraid that he'd get hurt.  I don't watch the play because it makes me worry. 

If Duke is panting when you walk him in the backyard, bring water with you.  You'll feel silly offering it to him but he just might need it.  The first 2 months, I don't think we walked halfways around the house before Nixon needed a drink.

Lol, stealing sticks! My husband and I had a good laugh over that! Ornery Danes are the best

Vee, I really hope Tippy has a better day today and that you both get some good, pain-free and restful sleep tonight. Keep your chin up and give Tippy a big hug for us.

-Kerry