Prayers for Sadie

Prayer request for our dear friend and neighbor Sadie as she recovers from hemangiosarcoma surgery. While progress is ongoing in the fight against this formidable foe, the reality remains that it's a life-threatening disease with limited treatment options. Sadie-girl had the good fortune of surgery before a major rupture could occur, and now we look forward to what we hope is an ample supply of Bonus Time. WOOF!

Hemangiosarcoma Treatment Breakthrough

Although preliminary in nature, findings from a recent study show exciting promise for the treatment of our old foe canine hemangiosarcoma.  Mr. Man summarizes the information here.

Please feel free to share, as this is good stuff!!

Time Flies

Shiva & Bailey, two old friends we dearly miss.

It's hard to believe we said goodbye to two old friends this year, but as the holidays approach we plan to remember all the fun we had...and express gratitude for the time spent together.

A few weeks before Shiva's passing, she visited the school with us for some patriotic fun.  Thankfully we snapped a couple photos that captured her in her element...basking in the adoration of young people at the Independence Day parade.  What made the moment extra special was spending it with two of her favorite girls in the whole world.

The Red Dog with Olivia, Kennedy & friends.

Another with Olivia & co.

We meant to post these when we had a chance in the days following the event, but life - and ultimately death - intervened.  Whatever the case, we had fun, the Red Dog was there, and the memories are forever.

A Little Fun and a Ray of Light from the Red Dog

We've had a rough year here at Red Dog Central Command, so Shiva's Mom and I decided to make a quick getaway (thanks to Aunt Dian) to Folly Beach over the weekend for some much needed R&R.  As long-time readers may remember, this was not our first trip to Folly.  In fact, the initial visit was so much fun we commemorated it in a series of videos entitled "Red Dog's Folly" and "Follypalooza."  That trip also was where we discovered our crazy Cattle Dog mix Joey's aversion to sea foam.  Thankfully, this time he decided being a beach dog might not be such a bad thing after all.  To that end, we are happy to provide you with evidence that Joey is no longer frightened of the foam:



Sadly, this trip also was the first made without this blog's namesake and constant travel companion, Shiva the Red Dog, who left us in July.  Furthermore, the first Folly trip was our sweet Katy's last beach trip before her eventual decline and demise a little over a year-and-a-half ago.  This made for a bittersweet reunion with the lovely island, one that Shiva's Mom and I did our best to enjoy in spite of some painful reminders of those we have lost and left behind.  Fortunately for us, we were accompanied by the little ones (Shiva's favorite "things" in all the world), who did their best to keep us occupied and happy.

Shiva's favorite little girls in one of her favorite places in all the world.

As if to reward us for living life in spite of our sadness - and just in the way Shiva would want us to - we were blessed to capture the following while taking a final picture of the beach the morning of our departure:

A blessing.

We like to think this is the Red Dog's way of touching us one more time, providing us with a beautiful and tangible reminder that she's with us every day, an ever-faithful companion lighting the way on our journey through life.

Farewell, Fair Beagle

After a long, glorious walk in the sun, our sixteen year-old Bailey the Beagle finally ran out of gas and joined Shiva and Katy across the Rainbow Bridge.  There, she reunited with her human "grandmother" Mrs. Gann to begin enjoying an eternity of unlimited Buddy's Bar-B-Q.

Although sad that we had to say goodbye, Shiva's Mom and I will be eternally grateful that we were able to spend the last few years of her life with this sweet girl.  From the moment she miraculously fit-in with our established pack, to her final moments in our arms with the wonderful Dr. Bea there to help, Bailey made our lives better.  We're lucky to have known her.  Sweet dreams, little girl.  We miss you!

Snoopy Update

Things have been quiet on the Red Dog Blog due in large part to the intense care that's been required for Snoopy since his IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) diagnosis the week before Shiva died.  While many of you may be unfamiliar with this nasty canine foe, it behooves you to learn about it just in case.  Surprisingly common, the disease is described in detail here at our Knoxville Dog Health Examiner page. 

Although we're far from out of the woods, Snoopy continues to progress slowly, and his prognosis remains good.  He's a far cry from the pitiful, trembling creature we brought home from the ER after two blood transfusions and several days in critical care. Here he is that first night back home:

The boot covers the IV catheter placed for his daily blood draws...which I had to clear and flush with a heparin saline solution every four hours for the first three days.  It was hell.  The soft collar, of course, was to prevent Snoopy from chewing the boot.  Needless to say, he was not happy.

Fortunately for all of us, he's come a long way and seems to be holding his own.  He's gaining back his weight and enjoying some evening car rides.  It may be months before he's out of the woods, but every day above the ground and enjoying life is a good one.  Big thanks to Dr. Brandi Dukes for the quick recognition and diagnosis, and to Dr. Mitch & co. for the lifesaving care and treatment.  We are lucky ducks to have two such awesome vets and their teams nearby.

Special thanks to all of you who've sent thoughts, prayers and kind words to Shiva's Mom and me as we deal with the loss of this blog's namesake while simultaneously doing our best to keep this guy alive.  We promise we'll post more, as we owe the Red Dog the photographic retrospective and tribute she so richly deserves.

Spirit Hugs from the Red Dog

As you may know, our friend Luna lost a leg to osteosarcoma back in March, and we're happy to say she's continuing to do quite well.  So well, in fact, that her mom Shannon brought her over to visit recently to help spread some big dog cheer.  Here she is doing her best to give a little love to Shiva's Mom:



During the visit, Shannon also informed us that Shiva's survival was the inspiration for her to go through with Luna's surgery.  She told us that, in a very real sense, the Red Dog saved Luna's life.  Much joy - and a few tears - followed, as all of us reveled in the realization that our sweet Red Dog had just given us a Dane-sized spirit hug from the great beyond through her friend Luna.

All cuteness aside, it's sobering and humbling to us to know that our decisions and experiences have so profoundly impacted the lives of others.  Shiva the Red Dog was a hero, and we're just glad she invited us along for the ride.