7/13/07: She still has not slept on the Kuranda bed. I moved it to my bedroom yesterday, but even when she comes in there she just lays on the floor. I sometimes let her sleep where ever she wants which has been on the floor in my bedroom. I put her on the bed with me a few days ago and she just couldn't settle down so I put her down and she went right to sleep on the floor. I'm still working on it but don't know if she will ever sleep on my bed comfortably. I have shown her the ramp and guided her up and down but she hasn't caught on. I keep picking her up a few times a day and holding her on the sofa. She tolerates it for a few minutes then starts wiggling to get down. She really loves to play and runs around the sofa up and down the hall and into the kitchen. She will run around when we are outside then just plop down a few seconds then get up and go again. She has been laying down in a pile of leaves under the deck. She loves to chew up pine cones, sweet gum balls, leaves, and sticks. What a mess when she brings them inside. I can't believe it doesn't hurt her mouth. I put the pool out almost every day and she gets in, lays down, drinks it, paws it then gets out and in. It is such fun to watch her. She loves going up and down the steps and running around on the deck. I take her for walks almost every day and she is still getting used to the neighborhood. She has met two of the dogs on my street without incident, just a lot of sniffing and a little barking. She is eating good but is still thin by my standards. All in all I am going to have to deal with her independence and let her do what she wants to do, but she loves attention. She just doesn't want to be cuddled. I am going to get her to kiss me before it's over. She has been so close at times, the tongue just won't come out but she puts her muzzle right on my face. My mother has come over the days I have had to work so far but she can't do that everyday so I am dreading the day I have to leave her my long hours. I am getting a permanent dog door put in today on my kitchen door so we'll see how that goes. She has been using the one in my storm door just fine so I don't for see any problems. I got her some new bowls like you suggested and they are easier for her to get food out. Her knee doesn't seem to bother her at all even as much as she goes up and down the steps. She does have a shorter sets of steps(2) off the kitchen but seems to head for the long flight most of the time. I think she thinks it is fun going up and down. That's the story for now. I am going to take her over to my mother's tomorrow, first car trip since getting here. Pictures soon....
Stacey and Raisin
8/9/07: Just a quick note to let you know Raisin is doing great. I had to work the last two days and she seems to do fine while I am away. Most of the time when I come in she comes trotting down the hall from my bedroom. I think she just rests and sleeps the whole time. She does go out I am sure. She is usually in a very lively mood when I get home and we have to play and play before she settles down. It has been terribly hot here but she still likes to go out for her walks when I get home. Her eyes are looking good. I hope I can get the stitches out without going to the vet, but I'll see when the time comes. She just loves those hooves. Had to get her another one as she just about finished off the one you gave her. She still plays with all her other toys too. Stacey and Raisin
10/17/07: Cindy,
Just wanted to send you a note about Raisin. She is doing
just fine but she is now holding her leg up a lot more than before.
She still walks on it but there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason when
she does it and when she does not. She can actually go to the
bathroom on three legs. I've seen her do it. We'll go back
to the orthopedist in November to see if anything can be done.
She is still so energetic and crazy when she gets in the mood to play.
She is so funny sometimes I could wet my pants laughing at her.
She loves to spin around in circles then go running off down the hall
or around the sofa. She loves the hooves which I have continued
to give her and she loves pulling the stuffing out of her toys, never
eats it. She gets the stuffing in her mouth and it is fun to watch
her get it out. I find globs of it everywhere. She is sleeping
in her bed about half the time now. She still likes the carpet
and she loves lying out on the deck. I leave the door to my small
screened porch open so she can go in there when it is too hot.
I am planning to put in a doggie screen door so I can leave it closed.
I got a hummingbird in there a few weeks ago and it took a while to
get it out. She is very good on the leash too, minds well, and
doesn't care to chase after birds, geese, squirrels or other dogs.
I am having some work done on the house and the contractor and I sat
on the front porch with Raisin off the leash and she did very well,
stayed close by. My mother just loves her. My brother is
coming for Christmas and he told me not to let her grow up too much
before he got here. I don't think that will be a problem.
She seems to be adjusting well to my work schedule. Most of the
time she comes out of my bedroom when I get home from work so I think
she sleeps most of the day. Sometimes I found her on the deck
when I got home but now that it is dark she is mostly in the bedroom.
Will let you know how the vet visit goes in November. Hope all
is well with you and your family. Stacey and Raisin
12/22/08: Just getting around to answering how Raisin is. She is great, but has her up and down days. Most of them are up. I am beginning to think her leg bothers her on some of these days, but it is hard to determine. She still hops on three legs some and walks on all four some. Guess it just depends on how she feels that day. Have attached a few pictures. Do you think she has enough toys!!! Stacey and Raisin
3/2/09: Cindy, Raisin in is renal failure. I
had to get my neighbor's daughter to take her to the vet today because
I had to work. She has slowly started drinking more water, not eating,
some liquid stools, no vomiting. I will be home after 8pm. My regular
vet did not see her. The one I spoke to said her labs indicated renal
failure. They are going to give her fluids. I have to work again tomorrow
so they are going to keep her. I have gotten fluids from the hospital
to give her when she gets home. This really came on quickly and I am
afraid she may not recover. I just want to cry and cry and cry. I have
not told my mother yet and that will be hard becasue she just doesn't
understand these things. Any advice will be appreciated. Stacey
3/7/09: Well, I just hand fed her a good bit
of food, a combination of many things, chicken, pork, beef, beans, ricotta
cheese, potato with a little honey on it. I just hope she keeps it down.
I may have to hand feed her for the rest of her life but that's okay.
Maybe she will start eating from her bowl again. I am going to try to
make up a good bit of my concoctions ahead of time so they will be ready
to go. I think I just have to make it very appetizing. Stacey
4/1/09: She was in good spirits today on her
walk, finally stopped raining. There are two swans on the lake across
the street and they were in the front yard of my neighbor. Raisin wanted
them so bad. She got down in her play mode and kept trying to get to
them. She doesn't understand they can hurt her. They were hissing at
her but I don't think she heard it at all. I finally had to pull her
away. I truly think she is better and I am going to get some labs drawn
next week and get her weighed. I found some other biscuits and nutritional
things she likes today. I just keep alternating them and she will eventually
come back to liking the old ones. Thanks, Stacey
4/16/09: Took Raisin to a local dog park today
for the first time. I think she really enjoyed it and being around other
dogs. There weren't too many which was good, but she acted very nice
and they did too. Most of the time she just ran around sniffing everything.
Couldn't get her to drink any water so I didn't want to stay too long.
She is so picky about what she drinks from. I hope she will overcome
this because I plan to take her back as often as I can. Have attached
a few pictures, none with other dogs because I was too busy making sure
she, and the other dogs, acted nice. She is doing good. The fluids are
really hard these days because she whimpers and fights me all the way.
Found some really good treats to give her before and after so I hope
she won't hate me too much. Stacey
5/14/09: Raisin died about 4:50 PM today, May
14. I was at work when the vet called. I left and went to say my goodbyes
to her and take her blankets to be wrapped in. The vet said she was
wagging her tail almost to the end, then she just took a deep breath,
laid her her down and was gone. It was very peaceful, no struggle. I
was hoping to get her home but it just wasn't to be. She was such a
sweetheart. Everyone who met her just fell in love. She had a good life
with me and you know she was spoiled. My brother told me he liked her
best of all the dogs I had. He loved the way her whole butt wagged with
her tail. I think my mother loved her the most too. I'll miss her terribly
and it will be lonely around here. Stacey
Raisin and Stacey