Hello Sweet Friends-  What a whirlwind of a weekend we had with my poor poor Charlie. Since my last update things got a little worse. First when I picked him up from the vet's office on Friday, he was REALLY sedated, couldn't really use his hind legs, and was drooling like crazy; he also came down with a VERY bad case of Diarrhea, and as Saturday and Sunday progressed the Diarrhea got worse and worse and became very bloody. By Sunday night about 11:30 I woke to find Charlie laying in his bed with a totally vacant look on his face  in a pool of blood around his rump, I just sobbed.  John and I called the UCD ER and spoke with the attending vet who of course said you need to bring him- The drive down proved to be tough as John and I started having the "quality of life" discussions and were so so torn about what we were doing and how quickly things just seemed to get so bad. To make a very long story short- we were in the ER until about 4:00am (about 4.5 hours) Charlie had an inflamed GI tract due to the onset of such strong meds and the ER Vet said she would touch base with the Neurologist that had just treated Charlie that week whom was actually there in surgery with another dog. Both Dr.s came into to speak with us and the Nerologist Dr. said she would back down the dosage of meds and work with the ER Vet on meds for the GI so we can get the Inflammation under control- while we are crying and feeling helpless the Neurologists looked at us both and said very directly- "guys, it's not time yet"  ... "his brain mass is so so small and he's just over medicated, I am an honest person and would tell you if I thought differently, We will work this through together because I'm not ready to give up on him yet.."  DONE!  Decision made, we will bring him home and try again... They gave Charlie an IV before we left and then some new meds.. So here we are and I think the IV was exactly what Charlie needed because yesterday he was a thousand times better- more alert, a little more stable on his feet and I am really hoping that after just a couple days on the reduced meds he will even get stronger.   A quick Pic of Charlie yesterday taking a break on the couch- we had to buy a harness to help him stand up and walk around a bit.

In the meantime Jojo has indicated that his feelings are hurt because all the sudden Charlie is now getting all the attention and Jojo said "hey I'm the one with cancer here, what the heck does the old guy have going on that's more important- Geezzzz"    

Oh my two guys who just love to be the center of attention, what can you do but love them both! I'll be sure to keep you guys updated on Charlie's progress  and if we look to have a bright future ahead of us!  

Much Love to you all...

Mia and the Yellow Boys♥

Hello amigos'-

I thought I would post an update as I am leaving out of town for work tomorrow and most likely won't eb able to post for a week or more.  Charlie is doing much better, he's getting more stable on his feet, he's showing signs of energy at times but he's still not back to 100%, I am going to ask if we can step down the meds a little more just to help his personality come back and his mobility to be solid.  The only small little hitch is that the Predinisone makes him drink excessively of course which means he has to pee excessively, so we've been able tow ork our way down to only getting up once in the night to go out and pee. We were getting up like every 3 hours and it was not good. Bless his heart I started to put depends on him at night in case I got so dang tired that I didn't wake up when he was trying So I took a quick pic of the poor guy- is that wrong

*Jerry- the meds Charlie has been on for relief of the GI tract are: Famotidine 10mg- this is like an ant acid and he will stay on this med as long as he is on Predinisone. He is also on Metronidazole 250mg for only 7 days- this is like an anti diarrhea med. 

As for Jojo, well he's doing just great, dare I say "remission", but his tumor's on the elbow and the thigh have just gone down so much it's incredible, his energy and spirit are just shining through like days of old- I am so pleased with his progress!  We have our routine check up apt. on the 11th, so hopefully the Dr. will feel as inspired as we do.

Take care all and I'll catch up with you in a week or so- I am working one of my companies biggest events of the year- HPDisocver2015

Much Love Mia and the Yellow boys.

Mia, 

Your update has me smiling from ear to ear......and what a blessing you have been given for both your senior boys to be doing as well as they are with all their different obstacles they and you have faced. And I completely agree with you, when our beloved pups become dependent in their senior years, they want for nothing more than for us to see them through. 

Your boys are the luckiest pups in the world to have you for their mom, and John for their dad. Enjoy every single moment of every single day with them, and don't worry about that "last day" with them.

Love, 

Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu

Oh Mia and John, 

I am so, so sorry, tears are just pouring down my face.......So ironic with all you have been through with sweet Jojo, you lose your beloved and handsome Charlie to an awful, ugly brain tumor. But you sent him to the Bridge with so much love and understanding, and he absolutely knew how much he was loved by you and John. And I agree, there is something about their peace at the end, which is the only comfort our hearts have. 

Please, please post stories of Charlie, and continuing stories of Jojo, we all would definitely love to continue to read all about them and their wonderful life with you......

Keeping you and John, and Jojo in my thoughts, and {{{hugs}}} to you,

Love, 

Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu

I am so so sorry. I know there are no comforting words in this moment, but take solace in knowing that you did everything possible for Charlie. When I lost my sweet Rosco Wednesday, Sally told me that he shed his earthly clothes b/c his mission here was done. As was for Charlie. There was a HUGE rainbow in the sky here yesterday. I think the rainbow bridge was wide open, welcoming everyone home. 

HUGS