Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Ups and Downs

Sorry about our extended absence. Things around here have been off kilter for awhile and we're slowly getting back to normal. First  a little about our Miss Morgan. After starting on antibiotics, she showed an amazing improvement. She found her appetite and began eating heartily, even gained a pound. She started sleeping comfortably thru the night and even started walking more steadily by herself.  She was awake and alert during the day and started following me everywhere, like a puppy. We felt encouraged.
Then on Friday, while still on the antibiotics, her leg started to swell again and I knew that the infection was winning. On Saturday she was running a fever and refused to eat. On Sunday she had difficulty walking without help. We knew it was time to let her go. Fudge went with us to say goodbye to his friend and we were all overcome with sadness. I had to keep reminding myself that she had lived a long and happy life.

 Dr B, Rob and I were all worried about how Fudge would react to the loss and paid special attention to him.  Being with Morgan at the end seemed to help him and he's doing fine. Mackey, on the other hand, had become quite close to Morgan over the last few months when they ate together and went outside together. Mac looked everywhere for her old friend and refused to eat for a couple days. She was unusually quiet and still goes each morning to wake Morgan up. We're paying extra attention to Mac's needs and she's coming around.
Over this whole time period Rob and I have been dealing with the flu. We discussed getting our flu shots early in September and just kept putting it off. We won't make that mistake again. This is a nasty flu that just keeps hanging on.

The day after Morgan died I had an appointment with a hand surgeon and we set a date next month for my surgery. I'm looking forward to getting it over with even though I'll be limited in my activities for the rest of the year. I'm in the middle of several projects that will be delayed yet again, but once this hand is working properly, I have some surprises for some of our blog friends.

Some of you know that we've been dealing with some issues with Sydney. As cute as she is, she has some mental disturbances that have caused  serious problems for the  pack and for us. On Friday she attacked one of the Portie girls. Sydney has a habit of making unprovoked attacks on the other dogs and this time I made the mistake of getting in the middle of it when the other girls came to join the fray. I got bitten and have 12 stitches in my leg. Syd and Bailey also were injured.

 This is not the first time this has happened with Syd and we've tried a number of things including several anti anxiety drugs, but none have helped much. I spoke with Dr B over the weekend and we decided that we had only two options left, Prozac or euthanasia.

On Monday we took Sydney to see the doc. He spent a over an hour feeding her special treats while watching her body language and eye movements. He says she is overwhelmed with anxiety and when she floods, she attacks the nearest dog without giving any advance signal. The other dogs are now all leery of her because they can't tell when she's going to attack. Rob and I decided to give her one final chance and we started her on Prozac. Dr B also referred us to a behavioral therapist who can help us determine her triggers.
It will be a long slow process to help Syd get thru this and we may not be able to. Rehoming her isn't really an option, as she would need to go to a home with no other animals, no children and one or two adults who were aware of her problems and willing to work with her. This is her last chance and I do hope the drug can give her some relief.

So you see, I haven't been able to post to the blog. Life has needed my complete attention. I'm hoping that things calm down now and the pack can get back to a more relaxed state and that I can get back to keeping up with happenings in Blogville.

16 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Sounds like a tough time....full of tough decisions and sickness. We do hope Syd can be helped, but it is a huge problem. Hugs to all of you.

Bocci said...

So very sorry to hear about Miss Morgan. When you lose a beloved pet, it does seem to help( at least a bit) to remember that their life was a long and happy one.

Hailey and Zaphod and their Lady said...

Your pack is having a really tough time. Sorry for the loss of Morgan. It is never easy. Hope your bite heals and the prozac helps. Big hugs.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

You never seem to catch a break. It is interesting to see how different members of a pack respond to a loss. We know you must be missing Morgan a lot too. We hope things work out for Sydney but you have tried so hard with her already. All paws crossed.

Let's get that bite healed well and good luck with the surgery. Darn flu, Mom needs to get her shot soon too.

Woos - Ciara and Lightning

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

I'm just so sorry to hear about all of this. When it rains, it pours, I guess. Pets definitely feel sadness when one of their pack leaves. When Sarah died, her sister Holly had a very hard time accepting that she was gone. Holly and Sarah were sisters and best friends from the day they were born and never separated after birth. Holly was able to say a personal goodbye to Sarah before she was buried and that seemed to help a little, but it's never easy losing your sister and your best friend.

Saying some prayers that things will work out with Sydney. If not, perhaps a rescue can help her find a new home.

rottrover said...

So sorry to hear that Miss Morgan has gone to the Bridge. She put up quite a fight, though. The last two dogs that we euthanized, we did at home - I should say the vet did it in our home...At any rate, it really seemed to help the other dogs. They waited outside during the process but came in and said their goodbyes immidiately after. They seemed to get it immediately and just move on. Unlike me, who can't even begin to process the loss of Bart...Sorry, too, about Syd. You've really given her your all. Sending hugs and rottie kisses ~

Molly the Airedale said...

Hugs to you, Miss Sue. Life has been rough on you. Our paws are crossed for Syd.

Lapdog Creations said...

Oh that must be so heartbreaking to watch Mackey go to wake Morgan each morning still... my heart just crumbles.
I do hope the meds can help Sydney. Fortunately she is in the right home to give her that chance, and I do hope it works.
Hugs to all... you know we've been sharing in your tears and thinking of you all. We can't wait for 2015 to be OVER.

Matilda the Boxer said...

We are so sorry to hear about Morgan. She had a very long and beloved life with you! Poor Sydney -- it's so hard for them when they're just so full of emotions they can't express any other way. :( We hope the drugs and therapist help her out.

Two French Bulldogs said...

So sorry. What a difficult time. Poor baby
Lily & Edward

Anonymous said...

Your plate is beyond full. Please, take care of yourself and the pack - your readers can and will wait

Marjie said...

You have had a difficult stretch; thanks for taking the time for this update. I hope that your hand surgery will be successful, and at least you'll be able to work on your crafts during stressful times. Best of luck with Syd; you are a good dog-mom.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Sue, I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful girl Morgan. We both know that no matter how long we have them, it's never enough time. I hope you find comfort in knowing that she truly had a wonderful life, and your connection to her will be what will always connect you. I hope you find peace in that and comfort in the memories that cannot be taken away.

And for Syd, I admire you for working to find a solution. You've taken a road that we both know will not be an easy one. But it is one that has no regrets if the end is not what you'd hoped for. Find peace in knowing that and in knowing that I'm cheering you both on from my corner of Virginia.

Take care!!

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

We're sorry that you and Rob have had to carry so much. It's easy to forget that other people in the world actually have problems and challenges that are as heavy as our own, if not more so. We're equally sorry that Morgan has passed. It's tough and as you know from our blog, we still miss our previous "kids". But we're hopeful that the right meds and help will come together for Syd. Most of all, we hope that all this upheaval will stop to give you and Rob and the other kids, some peace.

Susan said...

Bless you both and hugs. It is so hard to loose them and you are beyond patient and loving.

Nicki said...

Sorry to hear about Morgan. She was a sweet girl and you have her such a long and wonderful life.