Saturday, February 28, 2009

One Day At A Time


We took Pepper to the vet today. It wasn’t easy, but I’m happy to report that we also brought her home again. I’m going into one-day-at-a-time mode. The vet is going to run blood tests and thinks it might be neurological, something to do with the spinal cord. She’s prescribed Tramadol, since Pepper has such a sensitive stomach. It’s weird that Pepper’s legs work okay enough to walk one minute and completely fail her the next. Several months ago when this first occurred, it only happen for a few hours and then she was able to walk. Now, it’s happening with greater frequency since last night. This afternoon, I gave her a Tramadol when we got home, and she is totally zonked out.

We’ve been at the same vet practice for four years, but this is a new vet that we saw today. I was really pleased with her approach, which was very sympathetic and kind. She seemed to genuinely like Pepper, who was very comfortable with her. The vet calmed me down right away when we got there, even though my husband had to carry in our 80-pound dog. This might all be new and scary to me, but I’ve got a feeling that she sees lots of dogs that can’t walk. My husband is acting like everything is going to be fine now. Pepper is his girl. They adore each other.

I decided to try positive visualization this morning, imagining how it would be to go to the vet and come back home with Pepper. To my surprise, it actually went exactly as I had imagined it would. So, although I’ve always been kind of skeptical of this type of thing, I’m going to keep visualizing my sweet doggie getting better, and I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the blood tests on Tuesday or Wednesday. Right now, I’m just very happy to look at her sleeping contentedly on her dog bed.

14 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

I'm glad to hear that she came home with you. She's such a sweet dog. It's good she's resting. I hope she will be okay and her blood tests come back with good results.

jane augenstein said...

I hope your doggie will be OK, having one sick is not an easy thing to go through. Sounds like all your positive thoughts are helping, keep it up!!! :-)

Mrs. Mom said...

Victoria, we will keep those healthy thoughts going to you and Pepper as well there. Fingers crossed that all goes as it should.

Rubs to the ladies from us too!

Deejbrown said...

I am grateful to know she is in the arms of love and compassion. May these days be rich in the fullness of life.

billie said...

Glad you came home with Pepper and something new to try. It's tough when they get older - I think you're wise to take it one day at a time and enjoy each of those days with her as much as you can.

Big hug - meant to say in the previous post comment that we thought of you lots last night b/c my daughter made your spice cookies! They were as good as they were the last time we made them!

Janet Roper said...

Hi Victoria,
Waiting for test results always takes a lot out of me. Thinking of all of you and Pepper, sending you support and well wishes.
Harmony,
Janet

Lori Skoog said...

Victoria...Pepper looks like a sweetheart. Very glad to hear that she is home and you were happy with the new vet.

detroit dog said...

Wishing all the best for you and for Pepper.

Animals have amazing inner strength; I'm sure Pepper is a joyful dog.

--V.

Victoria Cummings said...

Thanks, You Guys - We had a really rough night where Pepper couldn't even stand up by herself. I got up twice because she was barking and messed herself and her bed. At 3 am, I had to wash her and clean all the dog bedding. Good thing we have lots of "dog towels". This morning, I was telling my husband that I didn't think she was going to make it when Pepper barked again. I helped her up and she walked to the back door, walked outside and did her business - just like normal. Such a strong will to live, no wonder we love her so much.

Anonymous said...

Pepper and the family must be very happy to have a great Vet to assist in your scary times. Its fantastic that Pepper was able to go home with her family and Im sure she appreciates every kind and loving gestures- animals are incredible and know your love is in her.

William Evertson said...

Our lab Cleo is the same age with the same on again off again hind legs. One day we think its her last and then she surprises us. The other night Karen was walking her and they both came in covered with mud. It seems that the legs went out and in the dark needed rescue from a drainage ditch. Of course back inside she (Cleo) perked up like it was just another lab joke - Karen was in a different mood.

Lori Skoog said...

Victoria...I don't think we are supposed to get that storm, but I was just on the phone with a friend in Virginia and they are at 32 degrees and may have 6 inches of snow by morning and extremely low (teens) temps tomorrow. Enough! right????
How's Pepper doing tonight?

Trée said...

Victoria, me and my four yorkies will keep Pepper in our thoughts and prayers.

Dusty Devoe said...

Lots of good thoughts for you during Pepper's struggles. Hope she is going to be okay.