Happy New Year

Can you believe we are entering a new decade, it seems only 5 minutes since we were getting excited about the new millennium.

2009 hasn't been such a great year for us, losing Sandy and Ranger was a devastating blow, but we are grateful that dear old Jim is still with us and the pack finally settling down and sorting themselves out.

My hopes for the New Year are quite simple, just for my family to be happy and healthy, surely not too much to ask for.

So I wish all of you a very Healthy and Happy New Year.

Sue xxx

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I’ll be mine,
And we’ll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne


JUST BE GRATEFUL YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY HERE ME SINGING IT !!!!!!!!!

Happy Christmas to you all

Sent Eric out last night to take some photo's of the outside lights whilst we still had the snow LOL Sure does look like Christmas now



these photo's will have to be scrapped for sure LOL...



Probably won't have time to come back to blog land before the big day so here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sue xxxx

Happy Birthday Ben

Today our little Grandson Ben is four, I can't believe he's 4, where did the time go.

Ben's birthday party was yesterday and despite the snow most of us made it! We all had the same idea of swapping Christmas presents just in case we get more snow so that added to the total chaos. Ben had a great time and got some fab presents. I took hundreds of photo's most are rubbish as there was so many kids and people moving around but they do give a feeling of the fun and laughter that was going on.



and here's the birthday boy! how grown up he's looking.

So here we are on day six of the snow !!!!!! I hate driving in it but can't put it off any longer and have to go out this afternoon, the main roads are clear so fingers crossed.

I was trying to take some arty photo's of the snow Saturday but look who kept running around and getting into shot.



Alf loves it and would be outside all day if I let him.



Surprisingly Gangley quite likes the snow as well, she runs around chucking it up in the air and then eating it when it falls down LOL.

Jim is ok, his back leg isn't getting any stronger which we find strange, he still has a good appetite and isn't puffing or blowing but he does seem to get very tired but he seems happier enough and that is all we can ask for.

Lucky seems to be emerging as alpha dog! she has become much more confident this last week and is getting quite bossy with the others, we really miss Sandy's strong stabilising influence on the pack and as for Ranger well we just miss his silly happy little face.

SNOW

We woke up this morning to a really heavy frost, then it started to snow and even worse laid !!! Alfie Bear loves it, the others myself included like to look at it from inside LOL.



I didn't realise as I took a quick photo (from indoors) that I had the conservatory in shot, shows it off quite well. Eric said all he needed was one more week and then he could have finished it for Christmas. I think he would have to have worked night and day myself but the electrics are done all the lighting is up and working, just one more piece of plasterboard to go up then it can be decorated. I have even finally decided on colours and fabrics etc, not that I shall buy anything yet just in case they go down in the sales LOL.

My little car had it's MOT yesterday and failed but only needed 1 new tyre and then passed. hooray !!!!

I made and sent this card first class to Dawn last Wednesday so it would be there for moving in day on Thursday. Has it arrived Nope !!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today my Dad is 71 Happy Birthday Dad! I love you xxx

Sorry to have been AWOL, I needed some time out but I'm back now LOL.

Jim is happy and seems well although I have to admit we watch him and worry about him constantly. I think if I'm honest he is showing a few signs of not being quite right but I'm hoping it's all in my imagination. The rest of the pack are slowly beginning to settle down but boy do we miss Sandy woo. As alpha dog she kept everyone in line and with no clear new leader emerging they are still a bit all muddled up. Much like us really. I long to stroke her velvety fur again and hear her happy purrs and miss laughing at Ranger's antics, for such a big dog he used to walk around on twinkle toes and make us laugh so much.

I have been busy making Christmas cards, unfortunately I managed to post some that just had people Christian names on with no addresses LOl see I did say we're all muddled up! I've also made a few Christmas gifts.

I had another birthday last week and despite not feeling like celebrating had a lovely day! I received some beautiful cards and presents. Eric made me a 12 x 12 frame which is magnetic so i can display a layout on it and then change it for another easily. I love it !!!

A few bits I can show.

Dad's birthday card, m first attempt at a tri fold



A just because card for my friend Shellie



This layout was designed by Lesley for papermaze crop, the photo's were really old Polaroids and even after scanning and adjusting weren't great but I wanted to scrap Marc's first birthday in 1979 eek!



and this one is by Ang for Bramford crop, I love this photo of Ben which was taken at Mothercare last month. Ben is looking very grown up!



Probably a load of other bits I've forgotten about but I've got a date with a Christmas tree now.

One year today

Today is Gangley's first gotcha day!

This time last year Eric travelled up to Lisa's home in Stoke (Greyhound Gap founder) and returned with Miss Whiplash. Gangley is a feisty stubborn little madam, who loves you most when you have food or if she’s cold. She spends her days sunbathing when it’s hot and hidden under blankets when it’s cold.

Gangley and Alfie Bear spends hours playing together but only when she says so, poor Alfie if he tries to start a game he soon gets told off but a few minutes later she’ll say okay now we play….



and she also lets Alfie snuggle up BUt only when it suits here LOL



We love you sweetheart .....

Sandy's story

Again I find myself thanking you all for so many lovely messages. I can hardly believe in less than two weeks we have had two of our beautiful hounds taken from us.

Back in October when Sandy's tumour became really bad, she didn't at any point gave us the signal that it was time to throw the towel in and so the operation to amputate her leg went ahead. Yesterday Sandy did give us that look, the look that says I'm sorry Mum it's time for me to leave.

Poor little Gangley is beside herself with grief and spent last night laying next to Sandy trying to get her to wake up and howling quite literally.

This is Sandy's story
12/10/98 TO 28/11/09

After losing Poppit, Dill was so sad and missed the company of another greyhound, so we decided it was time to find him a friend. Our search took us to Ann at kama’s Cave. Ann had so many beautiful greyhounds all in need of a loving home but didn’t feel any of them were suitable to live alongside our smaller dogs Rocky and Rulu. We liked Ann immediately and admired the work she did, so we started to visit the kennels a couple of times each week to walk the hounds. This is when we met Sandy, poor Sandy never made eye contact with us never lifted her head not even when out walking she was completely and utterly closed down. After many weeks of walking her one morning as I went in to get her ready and I saw her tail give the tiniest little wag, that was it I was going to take her home!!! I told Ann and she said Sue she’s a cold fish and not for you but I was adamant and we took Dill and Rulu up to the kennels to meet Sandy. As soon as we let her loose in the compound she changed in an instant and became playful and I swear it was love at first sight, well for Sandy anyway, Dill was so sweet and gentle with her. He seemed to sense how fragile she was.

Sandy came home to us on 4th October 2004, and immediately made herself at home, all was well in her world until Dill died 6 months later, also of bone cancer. Dill was her safety blanket and she was always with him. Sandy once again seemed to withdraw and close down, demons from her past began to emerge with horrible nightmares. It took a long time for Sandy to once again find the courage to start to enjoy life again but with lots of patience she slowly re emerged and became the cheekiest little madam.

I remember saying to her shortly after she came home, you’re safe now sweetheart and I don’t care if you never kiss me it’s enough for me to know your safe, well true to form she never did give me a kiss, Eric yes, me no but it didn’t matter, she was safe and loved and she knew that. Other than Eric she adored Marc and would wag her tail like crazy when he came to see her. She was his special girl and woe betide any girlfriend who might try and muscle in.

One day we came home and found she had shredded a screwfix catalogue, oh my god it was like confetti everywhere, it took hours to clean up and from then on if we ever left paper or tissue out she would shred it. One day Eric left some important paperwork out and of course when we came home we found it shredded, she was very firmly told off and frog marched into the bathroom as a punishment, poor Sandy was so scared that she had an accident but when we let her out a few minutes later everything changed, it was like she thought to herself well if that’s the worst that can happen to me when I’m naughty that’s okay. From that point she decided life was okay.

Sandy was such a stubborn girl, when Eric would walk her and say “come on woo we’re going this way” she would stand still and refuse to move as if to say “no I want to go that way”. It became a regular battle of wills and used to make us laugh. When Sandy was happy she made little purring noises and you would say “Sandy are you happy” and she would answer with her happy purr.

Sandy eventually became the matriarch of the pack and as such certain jobs fell to her, like telling me at 3.20pm each day that it was time I started to get their tea ready, this was done by running up and down and barking very loudly. Another important job was to remind Eric when it was time for their walks, again lots of charging around and barking. Sometimes it was difficult to obey her demands because we would be laughing so much.

Sandy’s favourite place to lie indoors was in the hall, just outside the kitchen with her legs in the air or against the wall, this way she had every room covered and could see everything. Of course she also loved to kick her legs around when dreaming and eventually did a good job of wearing the wallpaper off. Outside Sandy loved to lie on the deck in the sun and roast, on hot days I would have to chase her in, she really was a sun babe.

Sandy started to limp in May and in June was diagnosed with bone cancer. By October we had no choice but to amputate or let her go. We chose to amputate as despite the horrendous pain she was in there was no way the woo was ready to give up. In the end we were only able to give her another 8 weeks, but boy did she enjoy those weeks, pain free and back to the wonderful, cheeky little girl that was Sandy woo.

We will always love you sweetheart……….



some of my favourite photo's of the woo (click on image to enlarge)

Sandy

A couple of days ago Sandy began to shows signs of pain and was very stressed during the nights. We took her to the vets and he said his pessimistic side felt the cancer had returned his optimistic side said she had hurt her back.

Last night we eventually discovered her pain was coming from the base of her back/tail, despite throwing our full arsenal of pills and potions at her, we were unable to control her pain and having discussed it through with her vet this morning we felt it was unfair to prolong the pain she was in. There simply was no where else to go.

Sandy deteriorated quite rapidly this morning whilst we were waiting for the vet to arrive, which in a way confirmed our fears that it was indeed the cancer.

Eric took Sandy and Jim for one final ride together and when they came back I watched Sandy clean Jim's ears and he in return nuzzled her and it was truly the most wonderful but heartbreaking little scene to witness, I truly felt they were saying goodbye to each other.



Sandy is now at peace with no more pain.

Sandy you were the bravest little lady I have ever met....and beautiful right up to the end.



Love you always....

Thank you

I want to start this post by saying thank you to everybody who has left and sent me such wonderfully kind messages. Many of you I don't even know but knowing other people cares means a lot to us at such a sad time. THANK YOU!

This is Ranger's story




Ranger came to us one evening for a short pit stop, before travelling on to Greyhound Gap’s kennels. A volunteer at a kennel who was appalled at the conditions he was being kept in had literally dognapped him. Luckily for Ranger, Gangley was poorly and couldn’t travel that weekend so the trip up to Stoke was put back a week. Of course by the end of that week we didn’t feel it was fair for Ranger to go into kennels having tasted life in a home, so Eric went to collect Gangley and Ranger stayed anyway.

Ranger has terrible food issues in the early days but once he was wormed and realised he would be fed regularly he very quickly settled down. He had several problems usually triggered by fear but slowly Eric was able to gain his trust and settle him down. This was the beginning of a strong loving bond between Ranger and Eric, they simply adored each other.

By April 2009 we realised Ranger was now ready to go up on the rehoming board but of course there was no way we could part with the beautiful soft lad and on the 24th April 2009 Ranger became an official Taylor hound.




Ranger was such a big handsome lad but so gentle, during the Summer we found him on several occasions standing under the willow tree and couldn’t fathom out what he was doing, eventually we twigged it, Ranger has discovered if he stood under the willow branches they would sway around and he would get tickles, how smart was that!



Ranger also loved to howl his head off if we didn’t answer the telephone quick enough and so by the time we did answer it, we couldn’t talk because we would be laughing so much.

Ranger was such a clever boy and could do the most wonderful sit and could stay staying sitting for ages, something most greyhounds can’t do BUT his best trick was standing up on his back legs, placing his front paws on his Dad’s shoulders and giving Eric a great big kiss. I lost count at the times I asked Eric not to let him do that for fear he would try it on me and send me flying but it was actually the landlord of the village pub who came a cropper when Ranger did his party trick just as John bent down to stroke him. Result one black eye for John.

Ranger loved everybody and would go up to people and give them the gentlest little kiss, such a sweet gentle dog. When he first met little Ben he was so scared of him but gradually with the help of treats we managed to persuade him their was nothing to be frightened of and one day Ben said Nanny, Ranger isn’t scared of me anymore, such a special moment.

Ranger may have been a big lad but that didn’t stop him being bottom in the pack order! We did worry because of his size and once he started to feel good about life that he might challenge for top dog but no, even Gangley would boss him around and never a murmur of complaint from him.

I remember not long after he came having to put all my teddy bears away because he would keep getting them and far from tearing them up he would lick them to they were soaking wet and as soon as Eric would go to work or go out Ranger would collect his slippers and cuddle up to them, even shoes and boots weren’t safe and we would often wander around the garden looking to see where he had taken them, always his Dad’s never mine.



Ranger you were only with us for 364 days and have been taken at such a young age, we love you, we will miss you BUT we are grateful for having had you as part of our pack. Sleep tight our sweet gentle brindle boy….. I’m so sorry we couldn’t save you, we tried so hard.




We will love you always,

Sleep tight little man

Ranger passed away in the night.

the vet thinks it must have been an embolism 8-) we are numb with shock..

Ranger will be staying in again tonight.

We've just been in to visit him, no reaction to us and wouldn't touch the food Eric cooked him!!!

Biospy back and confirms Osteosarcoma!

Vet will do bloods test tomorrow if no improvement overnight and may well have to put a feeding tube in...

All feels very sad and bleak......

Ranger still at the vets

Poor Ranger is having a miserable time, he has managed to go outside but apparently is still not eating and his vet feels he needs to the morphine injections as has has a lot of fluid build which will be adding to his pain and discomfort.

Vet will ring again at 3pm to discuss whether he stays in again tonight. If the soft lad has to stay in then we shall go and visit and take a food parcel.

Feel utterly miserable at the thought of Ranger at the vets, alone and in pain.....

We have just spoken with the vet and the they feel it would be best if Ranger stayed in for another night.

He is now drinking but still hasn't eaten anything .

Apparently he can stand unaided !!!! which sounds encouraging.

Hope when they ring again in the morning it's to say the soft lad is coming home....

Ranger

Vet has rung and apparently Ranger is still very heavily under the influence of morphine, so they can't really assess how he is so no decision on coming home today will be made until later this afternoon.

However the vet was very pleased that Ranger didn't have any serious bleeds overnight so that sounds hopeful...I didn't really fully understand just how big an op this one was (head has been very firmly stuck in the sand) but he's young and strong, so today I am going to try and stay positive

Thank all so very much for keeping Ranger in your thoughts, I will of course update as soon as I hear anything else...

Sue x

Finally

At last the vet has rung.....

Bit of a mammoth op but it has gone well, Ranger now recovering, he's on morphine so hopefully will stay out of it for a good while yet.

Vet will ring in the morning, unless there's a problem in the night (I so wish they wouldn't say that) and depending on what sort of night Ranger has had to whether he comes home late tomorrow or Wednesday.

Thank you for all the messages of support xxx I will continue to update my blog as and when things develop...

Sue x

UPDATE

The vets have just rung and Ranger's chest x rays are clear !!!!

The operation to amputate his front leg is now underway.

SIX weeks today Sandy had her right back leg amputated.

FOUR weeks today Jim had his left back leg amputated.

TODAY Ranger is having his front leg amputated.

LIFE SUCKS ....

So worried

Ranger will be going into the vets at 12pm and will be having his chest x-rayed. If the x-rays shows his chest to be clear of any secondaries then we go ahead and have his leg amputated. If not then there is no option as his leg is already fractured but to let him go.

Ranger has been incredibly brave all weekend and hardly even whimpered despite his leg hanging off at an angle.The pain he is in must be terrible but he has already mastered the art of getting around on 3 legs.

I cannot even begin to believe that we are faced with this yet again and we both feel totally numb from the shock.

It's going to be a very long day!



Please say a little pray for this beautiful soft lad.

Unbelievably bad news

I can hardly take this in but just as Sandy and Jim after their amputations for Osteosarcoma begin to recover we find ourselves yet again in what is now becoming a familiar place.

A few days ago Ranger started to limp, so we treated him with metacam and rest, no improvement and I have to say alarm bells started to ring. Lunchtime I let him and the others out for a wee and heard this awful terrible screaming, I rushed outside and he was collapsed on the grass. I could see straightaway he was hurt badly so somehow managed to get him in and call Eric. With 30 minutes he was at the vets and they have just rung, A BLOODY BONE TUMOUR and pathological fracture (front leg).



Ranger came to us last November on what was supposed to be a 3 day pit stop en route to Greyhound Gap kennels but you know us and fostering! after a nightmare few months with him he suddenly turned the corner and has become the sweetest, gentlest hound you could ask for, we all adore him.

Now we have to decide tonight to pts or amputate...

Please pray for us to find the strength to do what is right for our lovely boy, he's only 6 ........

LIFE SUCKS !!!!

Friday the 13th eek!

On Wednesdaymy best cyber friend Shellie had to let her beautiful hound go to the bridge. Miss Flo O'Sausage as she was known by all on greyhound gap was a lovely old lady and will be so sadly missed by us all.



I and all on gap will miss reading about her adventures, she was a true Pirate Princess.

My hounds are all well and Jim is now on full walks and even chasing bunnies LOL. Sandy continues just having little rides in the car up to the meadow and then a little walk round but she is a very happy old girl. This afternoon, Alfie Bear, Lucky and Gangley are off to the vets for their yearly health checks and jabs.

Dawn and I finally got a full day scrapping yesterday, it's been weeks and weeks since we've managed this due to my poorly hounds. I had bought this DLO from papermaze sometime ago (designed by Wendy) and surprised myself and Dawn by doing it in one go LOL.

Left hand side



Right hand side



Photo's are of Vikki and Ben when we had a day out at Easton Farm Park in September. Good job I had so many kits saved up as there's no way I can find the time to actually put together my own stuff at the moment LOL.

Having a few problems with my hands, my right hand has always been my bad hand and had so many op's over the years. It has plastic knuckles and wrist but since I broke the plastic wrist in my left hand and had that removed, leaving me with no wrist joint and then trapped the nerve, my right hand has had to become my good hand eek!!! but it's really struggling and I now seem to have lost the use of my thumb it kind of looks out of joint and hurts a tad!!! think I need two new hands for Christmas LOL. Maybe I should check out ebay LOL.

Work on the porch and conservatory progresses albeit slowly, poor Eric is exhausted and is now at the point where he wishes he'd never started it but as they say the last mile is the longest....Don't think I'll have my Christmas tree in there this year after all. hey ho there's always next year.

Been busy

Few bits and pieces to share.

First a layout that was a kit, I bought it months ago from a difference source and when I finally got round to opening it last week loads of pieces were missing, I was thoroughly miffed !!!



I am not happy with it at all and ended up just making the best of a bad job !!! but it is a rare photo of me and Dawn so I guess it will have to do.

This one is a kit from Ang for Bramford crop, using papers from basic Grey Sweetpea Jack collection.



The photo is of Ben with his scary tiger face he had painted when we went to Easton Farm Park.

Next my first attempt at a tri fold card.



I was really chuffed with this as I am usually pretty hopeless at using a craft knife , so flushed with success I decided to make a maze book for Vikki to give to her MIL for Christmas and did this



inside



and then made a box and lid to put it in, using a sheet of 12 x 12 for each bit and lots of folding.



Not great photo's but you get the idea.

Sandy and Jim continue to do well, with Jim already up to 3/4 length walks.

Ranger has a swollen front wrist and is limping, all very worrying especially as it's not responding to metacam......

A normal weekend

At long last life slowly begins to return to some kind of normal !!!

Friday evening we had friends over for a meal as a thank you for the gorgeous stable door Chris has made me (photo's soon), then Saturday I went to Bramford crop and had a lovely relaxing day and finally today have pottered around and managed to fit in a visit to see Ben. Think he may have missed me a bit as he said "Oh nanny it's lovely to see you again" LOL it really hadn't been THAT long.

Anyway just have to share these two gorgeous photo's of the little man that Vikki had done recently at Mothercare.

How cute is he



and the next. what a poser



and I even have crafting things to show but they can wait as I'm cooking a proper Sunday roast well a veggie version LOL.

Sandy and Jim continue to make amazing progress and are both happy chilled out dogs, even the fireworks last night didn't seem to upset any of them for a change.

Jim has staples out

Yesterday Jim went back to see Mr Vet and finally got the staples removed. Mr Vet was quite amazed at the difference in him since Friday! as soon as Eric started taking him out on little walks and car rides he immediately perked up, started to eat properly and is now sleeping all night phew!

So Jim is now also officially discharged woohoo !!!!!!!!

Paws crossed they can now both continue to get stronger and enjoy a few happy pain free months.

Eric and I are also starting to feel better, sleep deprivation on top of all the worry and stress of the last month has taken it's toll on us both LOL, but life is slowing starting to return to normal or what passes as normal in a house with 6 dogs 3 of which are tripods.

As a woman of a certain age, I recently received a letter informing me I was due my first mammogram, so that's where I'm headed this morning DEEP JOY!!!!!

GREYT NEWS !

We've been to the vets and Sandy has had her drain and last few stitches removed! vet very pleased and has officially discharged the woo, although he did say if Sandy wanted to come and keep Jim company on his future visits he could take a wee look at her un officially LOL.

So 25 days after her amputation she has the green light to start little walks and just plain old enjoy life! So many highs and lows, stress and sheer terror we've been through with the woo and despite knowing all that, we would do it all again ! just to see Sandy enjoying life so much, is not only worth every penny (of which there are a few to be paid thanks to the 20% excess) but also proves all the traumas and heartache were eventually worth it. Onwards and Upwards for the woo!

Jim tufa also had to see Mr Vet, unfortunately the staples didn't come out today as planned, a small area of the wound looks as though the skin is dying/dead due to all the fluid pressure. Back again Wednesday and we'll see what happens, worst case scenario will be another op to remove the problem area. So Jim continues to make progress, not as spectacular as Sandy woo but he's on the mend.

Sandy and Jim

Sandy continues to amaze us and is just the happiest, cheekiest little madam!

Jim is much brighter today, vets would like to have seen less fluid yesterday but not bad enough to intervene, so they both go back Friday.

So life feels slightly easier today, although I'm sure Eric would appreciate a few hours more sleep each night!

A couple of layouts that did on my short weekend away and one I've been playing with for weeks LOl.

This is a class kit by Vanessa for the Papermaze crop. papers are from Jenny Bowlin. Photo's of Ben at our day out at Easton Farm Park.



Another kit by Vanessa. Papers are Bella Blvd and again photo from the day out at Easton Farm Park. The butterfly was supposed to be made from felt and I did make it but OMG it was awful so ripped it off and did one on the cricut instead LOL.



and finally one from Karen who works at papermaze. I adored this kit and Karen was kind enough to say I inspired it because she had watched me sit and stitch for hours the month before. I had no idea it would take so longer, all that stitching and inking of the flowers. Photo was scanned and then changed to black and white and finally the colour brought back just to Vikki. It was taken in 1997 when she was chief bridesmaid for my brother and his wife.

Tough love

Whilst Sandy goes from strength to strength Jim continues to be morose and lethargic.

So the big fella is now on the receiving end of some tough love from us. Meals are no longer given to him laying down he has to get up and come and get them! we also make him get up and walk around every few hours! Of course he is 2weeks behind Sandy on the recovery road but he simply doesn't have her fighting spirit and we cannot just let him lay around all day so Saturday we encouraged him into the conservatory with a beef bone



which he really enjoyed, followed by his nap LOL, he did however think he might join Sandy and hoodwink Eric into taking them for a walk.



Fat chance! Sandy's bandage is what holds her drain in place, looks odd but works well.

Sandy has mastered jumping onto HER sofa now and is enjoying being back in her usual spot.



Gangley has took pity on the big fella and decided to give him a hug!



so going to have to scrap that one LOL.

Finally one of them all together and yes I ended up on the floor LOL.



Jim is off to see Mr Vet this afternoon, we're hoping they might give him something to lessen the fluid, it hangs of his tummy and chest like man boobs, although his stump and back leg don't look quite as bad this morning.

Sandy is all woohooo

Sandy continues to go from strength to strength and last night slept in the lounge on her own. First time she's been back to her normal place since this all started in June. She had the staples removed yesterday, still a few stitches in from where they went in the 2nd and 3rd time and the drain stays for at least another week. She doesn't have to go back to Mr Vet for a whole week !!!!!!

Jim is not right !!!! miserable as sin, refusing pills, never had a problem before but now we have to force them down not nice BUT we think we have discovered the problem. His back/neck is very sore (probably from being man handled and he has a history of this pain) so we're going to start him on Sandy's nerve pain pill (with vets permission). Fingers crossed this helps. His stump is still heavy with fluid and it hangs from his tummy and chest. If you sit with him he is happier and nods off to sleep.

Managed to persuade Mr T to go out to pub with friends last night ( a whole 90 mins), well he took Alfie as the Landlord is the president of the Alfie Bear fan club, Alfie had a great time we did not !!!! Lucky did her nut, no idea why she got so upset but upset she was. Maybe she's frightened of her pack keep disappearing and coming back minus a limb and poor Alfie is the original tripod. Anyway she settled down once they returned thank goodness.

Sandy and Jim

Sandy is doing fantastic, fluid in drain is reducing with each day and she's bright, perky and very much back to her cheeky self. Tells us very loudly when it's time for sweets, food etc. Good to have the Sandy of old back. Back to the vets this afternoon.

Jim is not so great, temperature spiked yesterday so a change of antibiotics and now have to take his temperature every hour. He's not eating very well and doesn't seem able to sleep at night time unless Eric is sitting with him. Fluid on chest and tummy seems to have reduced but his remaining back leg and stump are heavy with fluid.

Jim is HOME

Jima buba so known cos he's always been such a baby is now to be known as Jim tufa BECAUSE he's been so BRAVE !!!!

Yesterday Eric went to collect him after his op to amputate his back leg and he only JUMPED into the car unaided!!!!!!

He is able to take himself outside for wee's etc and is doing very well.

Sandy is very bright and perky this morning and back to her cheeky self.

Photo from last night of me being all soppy and relieved to have Jim home.




and one from this morning showing Jim having his brekkie in his normal spot.



So all being well and touching wood, Jim will go to vets tomorrow for a check up and Sandy on Friday.

Today life is GOOD !!!!!

Tired but happy

Sandy is continuing to make good progress and the news from the vets about Jim is encouraging. He's had a good night, bit wobbly on his back leg but this is probably due to the epidural and GA, so the plan is for Eric to collect him at 4pm.

I had planned to have an easier morning and get rested up before the 2nd poorly hound comes home but it's now 11.30am and I've been up since 5.45am and my bottom is yet be make contact with a chair for longer than 5 minutes LOL.

So much for sitting and watching craft day on QVC. Maybe a quick look at lunchtime.

Eric took this photo yesterday just before Jim left for the vets,

e

he's such a handsome dude.

Sandy and Jim

Sandy has been to see Mr Vet AGAIN and they are very very happy with her. Fluid in drain now smells normal wound is not inflammed and she seems to be doing well. Can even jump out of the car unaided!

We eventually after many many hours of sould searching decided we couldn't deny Jim the same chance as Sandy, so this morning he to had his leg amputated!

The surgery has gone well, much more traditional op as his lump was lower down so they didn't have to go into the hip area. He's now recovering and hopefully will come home tomorrow.

Just have to pray he can cope like Sandy.

A few photo's

Sandy is still doing well, her temperature has stabilised after a blip yesterday when it dropped a bit low. She's eating well and seems happy, well until she gets left home when the others go for a walk.

A few photo's of the woo

This was taken Saturday



and yesterday



and this morning with Lucky



Back to the vets this afternoon.

Good news !!!

Sandy has been back to see Mr Vet this morning and they are happy with her and us LOL. We have successfully emptied her drain and recorded the amount, kept her spotlessly clean and she is back home with us.

Back tomorrow so they can monitor her and us......

Today we celebrate all being together again, what tomorrow holds I have no idea but for now today feels GREYT!!!!!!!!

The woo is home

The woo has landed and is home !!!!!!!!!!!

Eaten, wee'd, poo'd and now resting, although she was very miffed that she chouldn't go out for a walk. Back to vets in the morning, hopefully just to touch base etc.

More tomorrow

So now we wait!

We visited Sandy again this afternoon and even though she was only just coming around from yet another sedation to change the drain (now has a bottle attached to collect the muck)she looked bright and alert, temperature still normal.

We took Marc along (son) he is her favourite person in the whole world and her eyes lit up when she saw him, she snuggled in and gave a happy little purr.

So now we wait, hope and pray the antibiotics can start to kick the infection off.

The nurse who is on duty all weekend is lovely and obviously really likes Sandy. She said Sandy is the bravest greyhound she has ever met. I feel happier knowing someone who cares about Sandy will be taking care of her.


Jim is still a bit zonked by the GA bless him, he waves a paw for you to sit with him and then as you hold his paw he goes back to sleep. Still no decision made, we go back and forward talking and talking it over.

This photo was taken just over 5 years ago when they first arrived here.



They were both in the same rescue kennels, so have been together a long while now.

Sandy and Jim

Sandy has had a comfortable night, her temperature is normal and she is eating. The swap results are back and show no MRSA and the infections she does have the vets have been using the correct antibiotics. She will have the poultice removed this morning and another drain fitted and then it's a case of waiting, hoping and praying. If there are no signs of improvement over the weekend we have been advised that it would be best to bring her home and then let her go.

Jim is totally zonked from his GA and slept all evening, all night and is still dopey this morning. No decision has been made.

We are so torn over what to do and bone weary.

So just when you think it can't get any worse it does.

Jim's tumour is horrendous and he has a fracture in the leg, his chest is clear but the vet doesn't think amputating is a good option but will do so if that's what we want. Basically we have to decide in the next day or so to amputate or let him go to sleep over the weekend. The danger of his leg snapping completely is to big to carry on.

Sandy has a flesh eating infection that has started to destroy the tissue around her stump. They are hitting the infection with everything they have but if there is no improvement within 48 hours then we have to let her go as well.




Thank you to everyone who keeps my beautiful dogs in their thoughts and prayers.