Jim's story

So here I am again, saying thank you to so many lovely people, some of whom I don't know for all the kind messages about Lucky and Jim. It truly is a comfort knowing people care

Jim leaves behind so many wonderful memories and a huge hole in our life and hearts. This is Jim's story.

                                                                        Jim
                                                         2/3/2000 to 6/12/2011 
Two weeks after adopting Sandy from Kama’s cave we were back walking the hounds and noticed Jim had a new kennel mate. A young greyhound puppy that was driving him mad, jumping up and climbing all over him but dear Jim just took it all and not once even growled but he looked so sad, we already knew what a lovely boy he was and decided there and then to take him home it was November 2004. Sandy was not amused! And 100 yards down the road we had to stop the car and muzzle her, she so didn’t want Jim to join her and Dill.

Jim had been raced for 2 years amassing 89 races in that time and then handed into Kama’s cave, unlike most ex racers Jim had not been mistreated and had no hang ups or problems he was from the very start just the most beautiful gentle dog. House training was interesting, in those early weeks his water pistol as it became known would go off whenever he got excited and he liked to help us in the daily chores! Everything we attempted took 10 times longer with his help, mainly because we would be laughing so hard at his antics. Sandy did soften to him, especially after Dill passed away 6 months later and they formed a very strong bond.

When Mac arrived as an emergency foster from Greyhound Gap he had so many problems and Jim’s quiet steady ways really helped Mac. I remember speaking to Lisa about Mac’s separation anxiety and she said put him in a room for a few minutes at a time on his own, well I did and he would howl and howl and then appear, I was stumped as to how day after day he got out, finally I twigged it, Jim was pushing the door open and letting Mac out and so The Blue’s brothers came to be.

Not much ruffled Jim’s feathers with the one exception, 9.20am every Sunday the church bells would ring and up he’d jump roaring outside to give them what for, he barked so much his front paws would leave the ground so funny to watch. Then Mac taught him to howl his head off when the telephone rang and wasn’t answered quickly, so by the time you got to the telephone you couldn’t talk because of laughing so much.

Jim loved to have his Dad sit on the floor and lay in between his legs and watch the motorbike racing. Jim only once put two paws on the sofa and after that decided never again, way to scary up that high, so the floor it was. At night time he slept in his bed at the base of our bed and when he was settled he sort of made this happy flubbery noise, which signalled all, was well.

Jim as were all our hounds together with Eric well known around the village and he helped many children over come their fear of dogs and quite a few owners who used to turn away when seeing Eric with all the hounds. Jim who believed everyone was either his friend or wanted to be, would bound over and the owners soon started to realise this large pack were not to be feared and started to let their dogs join ours in runs on the meadow. Jim had no prey drive and once even picked a bunny out of the hedge to give to his Dad, completely unharmed.

In the summer of 2009 Sandy, Jim and later Ranger were all diagnosed with bone cancer. We had decided to treat their pain until it couldn’t be controlled but Sandy’s zest for life was so strong at the 11th hour she had her leg amputated and then 2 weeks later Jim also arrived at that point where the decision had to be made. Having given Sandy the chance we couldn’t deny Jim even though we were all concerned how he would cope because of his size and not being as mentally tough as Sandy. Whilst Sandy did really well initially Jim didn’t, he became very depressed and we were at a loss as to what to do. Eric came up with the idea of a beef bone. Our butcher kept us supplied with bones and Jim’s daily teat was a bone and from that day on he picked up physically and mentally.

Sadly Sandy only lived another few weeks and on her final day she sat quietly with Jim giving him a wash and brush up and looked at him as if to say, “Jim I have to go now so you must now step up and be the main man” never have we witnessed anything so touching but heartbreaking.

Jim did indeed step up and with his quiet gentle ways led his pack, eventually he was able to start walking with again and this only stopped in the last few months, then he would go for a ride in the car, followed by a little walk about.

Jim will always remain in our hearts, a truly gentle giant with not a bad bone in him, he had 2 extra years after the amputation that we cherished, life will never be the same without the big fella but last week we discovered the cancer had returned in his shoulder and yesterday it became obvious that it was time to let him go. Sitting in his Dad’s legs surrounded by his pack munching on his favourite sweets he left us to meet up with all our other hounds.

We will always love you Jim and be so grateful for all the happy years we shared together, run free Buba xxx

Jim

Yesterday Jim deteriorated very suddenly and we made the decision that it was time to let the big fella go. So last night his favourite vet came and laying n between his Daddy's legs eating his favourite sweeties and surrounded by his pack Jim left us.

There are no words to describe the utter desolation we feel.

Lucky

On Friday Lucky our 9 year old greyhound went lame on back leg, wasn't too worried as she gets poly arthritis now and then so gave steroids as advised by vets, got worse Sat and Sun and today can't weight bear.

Took to vets at 12 noon and he said classic site for osteosarcoma (knew that as that was where Sandy's was inner thigh high up), Eric discovered a swelling there last night!

Vets kept her in for x rays and have just rung to say she has Osteosarcoma (bone cancer). 

Can't quite get my head around the fact that another of our precious hounds has got the cruel evil disease, Eric just gone to collect her and then we shall have to decide what to do. My heart feels as though it's been broken and stomped on.

Jim is holding his own and is bright and cheeky AND sleeping through the night, after weeks of not being able to.

Jim update

Just a quickie to reassure everyone Jim is okay and even slept all night last night for the first time in weeks. We're spoiling him and cherishing every extra day!

Haven't had time to start my JYC Album yet but I've loaded a digi kit and bought a notepad, so I know what I want to do for each prompt so far, just need to find some time LOL.

Had a lovely evening with crafting friends last night, we went out for a Christmas meal, I was unsure whether to go as it's hard not to feel sad about Jim. Eric said I should go and celebrate the extra two years we've had, so I did and got through  the evening without crying and actually really enjoyed myself. Thank you Carol for organising it!

Journal your Christmas

I have always admired the Shimelle classes my friend Jane does but never seem to find the time to do any. Jane won 3 passes for this years Journal your Christmas and was kind enough to give me one!

Well having been on the forum I see veryone seems well prepared! so I guess I'll be playing catch up a bit and being totally clueless might slow me down but I shall do it as a digi album and can surely find a few minutes each day to play along.

Jim was very poorly yesterday and we had decided to make the call to the vet today but he had a good night and is much improved today, thinking about it I guess being pulled around at the vets and having to jump in and out of the car added to it all. So as long as he stays comfortable and has good quality of life .......... we shall take it day by day and at the first sign of trouble will let our beautiful big giant hug monster leave with the dignity he deserves. Each day is now a bonus and a blessing.

Jim

Had to take Jim back to vets today as has had increasing pain and found it harder to get about this week.

Vet is certain that Jim has a very aggressive ostersarcoma in shoulder, having lost a back leg to ostersarcoma all we can do is control his pain. Vet thinks maybe a week or two at most, no point putting him through an x ray.

Even though we had our suspicions having them confirmed has completely knocked us and we are numb.

Jim has been the backbone of our pack for over 7 years and the thought of life without our gentle giant is unbearable.

Funny old week

Well it's been a bit of a rubbish week!

Jim has seen the vet and had a new pill added to the mix but ideally the vets need an xray to see what's going on. We had decided it was too risky at his age but vet says he could just get Eric to lay him down and keep him calm and take a quick one, wouldn't be as good as normal but all the pulling around he would suffer wouldn't do him any good, so we are now seriously thinking about it. He has really struggled to get about but remains happy and full of cheekiness.

New hens have settled well, slight problem Thursday evening, one had disappeared, spent an hour searching but couldn't find her, up at dawn and Eric found she had got over the 7 foot fence into hedge behind and had roosted there all night, needles to say she will be having some feathers clipped today! Getting plenty of eggs

Hand clinic very pleased with progress!

Went to Dr's as felt unwell, infection so ab's which means no humeria this week and to add insult to injury I had a high blood sugar reading so had to go back the next day for a fasting glucose test, thankfully it came back normal. Always a concern because my Mum and her Mum have/had diabetes.

Yesterday was a good day, scrapping with Dawn then in the evening off ut with Vikki and Ben to see Christmas lights switched on, met up with Marc, Rach and Harvey and had a great time. Flippin battery on my camera died so luckily Vik took some photo's on her phone. We met Prancer a 3 year old reinderr, he was gorgeous and so friendly, apparently they live upto 10-15 years, spend 4 weeks a year working and the rest of the year running free on a farm. Their coats protect them from the cold but also the heat. He was so chilled out and just after this photo laid down and went to sleep LOL.

Ben, Harvey and me, boys were not cooperating with photo's as they were so excited.

Finally finished the digi DLO, has taken me ages to get it as I wanted, have decoupaged some of it but the photo I took was awful. Photo's are from my Cousin Sandra's youngest son's wedding in July. We all had such a great day and I wanted to use lots of photo's, we had a similar class kit from papermaze last which I sorted of adapted for this.

New additions

Yesterday we had 2 new arrivals!!!!

No not dogs before you all start yelling at me LOL.

Rescue battery hens. Our son was going to collect 4 for himself and talked us into having another 2 and then he got talked into taking 5 for himself LOL. As always they are very scrawny but with some TLC should perk up quickly.

Haven't chosen names yet so hen 1

hen 2

and a few of our others with one of the new ones so you can see the difference and  see what they should look like.

had to share this photo with you, Eric had cooked some meat for the dogs and had their full attention, Jim was sitting in the hall waiting for room service!

Off to the vets later to see if any other medication might help Jim as he is struggling again.

Had a lovely time at Papermaze crop on Saturday, it was so good to see Vanessa and Lesley and be able to give them a hug after the awful time they've had with the fire. Managed to finish this LO at last! designed by Janina for Bramford crop using papers from Bo Bunny. There is some hidden journelling behind the photo that tells how stupid me hadn't tried my dress on and my the time I did it was too late to have it taken in, so on this photo my cousin Sandra (it was her son's wedding to Jenni) grabbed the back of my dress and pulled it in so it at least looked like it fitted one one photo!

Decided to decoupage some of the bits of this digi LO so it's now a hybrid, which I think is where my heart probably lies these days.

Hospital

Just back from seeing my Surgeon, he is  really pleased with new knuckles and the progress I've made!!!! still concerned that he couldn't put a pin back in to help the wrist fusion so has said as soon as hand clinic are happy I go back to using wrist splint and just wear this huge one protecting knuckles at bedtime and when out and about. Back to see him in 2 months and hopefully discuss next op to repair tendon ruptures. Looks like hand clinic will be a weekly appt for sometime but at least that means I'm being monitored carefully.

Had a play yesterday and did this digi LO, although I may turn it into hybrid. Photo's of Mojo, kit "apple of my eye" from after five designs. 

Jim is off to set the vet Monday as he is struggling again and really only using his 3rd leg as  a balancing post! Hoping maybe a change of meds might help!

Papermaze crop tomorrow yay !!!

D Day

Finally after 4 long weeks I was able to start RA drugs this Friday! boy have I been counting down the days.

Went to hand clinic Tuesday, 30 minute slot turned into two hours! adjustments to splints, new exercise splint blah blah blah!!! My morphine has all gone and it's been a difficult week coping with the pain. Still I've kept up with the exercises which are grueling. I have a few worries with certain bits but will discuss with surgeon on Friday. Another hand cinic appt Tuesday, so looking forward to that NOT LOL.... I was telling my SIL about it and she said  she calls the physio therapists physio terrorists, made me laugh!

Anyway I've been working on a DLO (digi) that I just can't get right, so took a break from it and made this instead. kit is from pickleberry pop and is called sick days. Photo was just after cast came off and it had been cleaned up. Eric said it would be a good idea to have it as when I hit a low spot with recovery not going as quick as I want I could look back on this photo and take heart LOL, that man knows too well.

Jim has had a much better week so we've put off going back to the vets for now.

New splint

Back from hospital, cast off and new splint on. Have to bend fingers 5 times a day 10 each time i.e. 50 per finger eek!.Two middle fingers I can bend but two fingers with ruptured tendons I have to do with other hand, little finger is very sore think it was squashed in the cast!
Hand looked pretty good, back Tuesday to hand clinic just so they can check it over.

Going to attempt to go to crop tomorrow, more to socialise really, even Eric thinks it’s a good idea for me to go out for a bit. Luckily I have a kit so will just take that and see what I can do, have more usability with splint than cast if you know what I mean LOL.
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Lucky suddenley became very stiff a few days ago and we rushed her down to the vets, seems the poly arthritis has returned! she is much better now she's on the steroids but would be nice to know what triggered it off again, Jim is very very sore and we're both starting to feel quite anxious.

Finally we got our first egg yesterday from the new hens, about time! LOL....

Made my lovely surgeon a fuuny card digi of course and got him and is super secretary some sweeties, they are both such lovely kind people.

I'm home

Well I am very happy to be home!

Had a nice room all to myself and this time I was treated with nothing but kindness, now whether my complaint after the dreadful care I received at Christmas had anything to do with it I don't know.

The operation took just over 3 hours and instead of a GA I had a regional limb block in my neck which gives total pain free results and lasted well into the following day, I also had light sedation as 3 hours awake in theatre wouldn't be much fun LOL. I was able to speak to my super surgeon in recovery and didn't spend hours being ill.  So now I have new knuckles, still in a plaster cast but that comes off Friday and then a special splint will be made. Surgeon couldn't replace pins which were helping to keep the wrist fussed but he thinks it should be okay as long as I remember to be careful and wear a splint if doing things that would put a strain on it.

I came home Saturday afternoon but received a telephone call from surgeon Monday morning to say he had not only asked that I be kept in until Sunday but that he had come to visit me just after I left OOPS! I honestly didn't discharge myself nurses were happy to let me go so I did. Guess he'll be wagging his finger at me Friday.

I have morphine for when the pain gets too much but am trying just to have it at bedtime. Eric seems to be on a mission to fatten me up and in my weakened state I don't seem to have much in the way of willpower LOL.

I have had so many lovely cards, flowers and choccies and so many emails, thank you all.

We've had discussions with vet re Jim and have tweaked his pills and he's back to being more comfortable and his happy self. We all agreed at his age it's not worth the risk of a GA to do x rays and just pray his pain is due to having to haul himself up using front legs and nothing more sinister.

Had hoped to play digi today but yet another day seems to have slipped by in a haze of food, sleeping and more food LOL.

Thank you everyone for being such great friends to me xxx

One week on

So already a week has gone by since our darling Ruby past away. So many kind messages, cards and flowers have been received and a special poem in memory of Ruby from Harvey our Grandson.

Slowly life begins to settle down and the pack are beginning to go back to normal.

I started this layout at papermaze crop but couldn't concentrate as I was worrying about Ruby and obviously brewing the bronchitis. Decide to finish it yesterday and pack away my crafting things. Layout was designed by Lesley using Echo Park pp's Victorian garden.

Been meaning to scrap this photo of Ben for months, another super class kit from Papermaze using papers from Jillibean soup. Ben played the part of the Inn Keeper in his first school Nativity play and after much coaching at home was word perfect for the performance!

Such sad news about the fire at papermaze, my heart goes out to Vanessa and her family and I hope they can get started again soon. All those lovely layouts that decorated the walls all gone, totally devastating! thank goodness no one was hurt!

Well so much for thinking I was well ahead of the game and organised, my list of things I need to do before losing the use of my hand again seems endless.


Dr says my chest is much better, so paws crossed for Friday. I shall be really fed up if it's cancelled and can only hope for the best.

Two years ago today

Thank you all so much for your kind comments about Ruby, it means a great deal to us knowing people understand and care! A friend sent me this picture which I love of hounds having fun at the Rainbow bridge. Thank you Sue and Song xx

Two years ago today Jim had his leg amputated because he had osteosarcoma. It had been diagnosed in June but we felt because of his size and age amputation wasn’t an option and went for palliative care! however as we also had Sandy diagnosed with the same dreaded condition and because she so desperately wanted to fight and live we went for amputation for her and then decided we had to  give Jim the same chance. Our vet was very reluctant because of his size to do the operation but eventually agreed.

Sadly Sandy only lived another 8 weeks but Jim dumbfounded the vets upon reaching 3 months, then 6 months and here we are 2 years later.

Jim is massive even by greyhound standards and the biggest softie you could wish for. He has been the backbone of our pack for many years and welcomes each new hound with his gentle ways.

Jim is coming up to 12 soon and is beginning to slow down, but is still a loving cheeky hug monster who we adore.

And today for the first time in many weeks he asked to go out with the gang for a proper walk, not a ride in the car followed by a little wander but a proper walk! just the cheer us up factor we needed today. Jim is still bothered by his neck/shoulder problem but seems happier and more comfortable today. Long may you reign as head of our pack big fella.

So the old boy still enjoys a run 

and is as handsome as ever.

Here is the original post of Jim's operation.

Introducing

Bobbi and Gerti. Our very old ex battery hen has surprised us by still being  here and so we decided to get her some company but before we got the chance (wanted to get more ex battery hens) we were given these two as a present LOL

This Bobbi she is quite timid and shy.

Gertie who is loud and full of herself.

and old Henerietta who is enjoying being Mummy Hen to the new arrivals. LOL




Decided to do a very quick layout of Ruby as I fear her time with us grows short!

Used a kit la di da Biggle from scrap girls.


Ruby's breathing is still fairly good but her paws remain swollen and she still won't lay down in the house unless Eric lays her down, however she will lay herself down in the back of the car. We have no idea why but she happily spends hours laying out in the car.

Looking forward to Papermaze crop on Saturday, will be my last time scrapping at crops for a while. Off to see surgeon on Friday and then an appt for pre admission checks. All getting a bit to real and close for comfort now.

Ruby seems a bit better each day and so far Jim is okay on the reduced dosage of anti inflams!

Eric and friends decied to go out for a bike ride today and whilst he was out I did a quick digi layout of the bike he is riding at the moment! his favourite the Kawaskai GPZ900R is off road awaiting some TLC LOL.

We have two new additions to our family, 2 new hens, 1 white and 1 brown, must remember to take some photo's. We weren't sure whether Henrietta would appreciate some company or not!  but after initially plumping herself up to look very big she decided to take the new young hens under wing so to speak LOL.... phew! we weren't sure if Hen pecked was an old wife's tale or true LOL.

Poorly Ruby

Last Wednesday Ruby began to go downhill and to cut a long story short we decided it was time to let her go! had to wait several hours for vet to come out and when he did she rushed out to meet him wagging her tail. Poor chap was like sorry which dog is ill !!!! examination showed no fluid in lungs or infection, heart sound so off he went leaving 2 embarrassed owners in his wake. However she continued to go down over the weekend and so Monday we took her to the vets, they kindly examined her outside as she is so terrified of going in and discovered she had a temp of 107 and rising, heart still sound and no infection in lungs. She obviously has an infection of unknown origins and we explained her paws kept swelling up because she simply won't lay down and stands for 12 plus hours despite obviously having very sore paws. She's now on ab's and painkillers and has improved but still isn't keen to lay down! all very odd and stressful and ironically her breathing is the best it's been in weeks! Yesterday she did go for a ride and even got out of the car for a short walk so progress!

Jim is much better but still not taking the full weight through the front leg so another week of anti inflams and review next week.

Me I'm just plain old worn out LOL
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I had wanted to scrap a layout about Eric being rushed into hospital earlier in the year but didn't know how to go about it, then Janina from Bramford crop made a remark which sparked off this idea (thanks Janina) after I had told her the consultant upon discharging him had said you have the profile of an athlete and so finally came up with this digi LO.  I wanted to record how terribly ill Eric was but in a more light hearted way, although it's not perfect I am fairly happy with it.

 Beautifully designed kit by Vanessa of Papermaze using papers from Authentique Blissful, bit of a challenge for the rubbish hands so made a few changes. Photo's of Vikki, Mathew and Ben at my Cousins son's wedding.

Another kit from papermaze this time by Lou Collins, didn't have the right punch so had to improvise and shan't be doing that much punching again as actually bruised by hands, photo of Mathew and Ben on holiday last month.

Had a nice day at Bramford crop but spent most of the time worrying about Ruby who isn't to good. Jim is more comfortable pain wise but suffering from the high temperatures we are having. It's supposed to be cooler tomorrow, paws crossed!

Jim goes to see Mr Vet

Yesterday we took Jim to the vets, after a long examination the vet has concluded that the back leg is buckling not due to lack of strength as we thought but pain in his lower back. In addition he has discovered as we thought that he is unhappy to put any weight through one of the front legs due to pain in the shoulder. This could be caused by him having to use his front legs to pull himself up more and more or it could be the cancer has returned!

We started him on anti inflammatories yesterday and he already looks much more comfortable and relaxed. Soooo paws crossed.

Next month will be his two year anniversary of having his leg amputated due to the bone cancer. To survive this long is very rare! Jim is such a dear gentle boy who is adored by everyone.

Today Ruby looks tired, she was keen to go out for her walk but wasn't interested in her brekkie. Although when her Dad cooked her eggy bread she did eat that!

Thank goodness for Friday's!

Well all in all it's been a very stressful week! My daughter Vikki had an operation on Monday, so of course I was in full Mummy worry mode but it all went well and she's slowly feeling a bit better each day, Marc's knee goes from bad to worse and it seems he may now need an operation and on top of that Jim is in big trouble, remaining back leg is getting weaker and now he's having a problem with front leg/shoulder and is struggling to get around which is so stressful. Ruby remains stable thank goodness.

So with all that going on I've been a bit stressed out and flat all week and really needed my Friday play day with Dawn!

Finished this one off, photo taken at Mum's 70th birthday BBQ, always seems wrong a family photo minus my brother Bob who now lives in USA.

and .....started and finished this one of our friends Shellie and Kit who came to visit in June.

Rubbish photo's as per usual but really struggling to hold the camera with poorly hands.

Going for a wander around town tomorrow with Dawn and may have to have some retail therapy LOL.