I hear you! I had a dog that was a 90 pound big brown german shepherd mix something or other (that's my medical opinion) and he went everywhere with me.

His absolute favorite thing towards the end was a ride in the Miata. I'd belt him in by his harness, put the top down, and he'd sit in the passenger seat with his head resting on the top of the windshield while I drove. (He'd have a huge doggie grin with his tongue out - sometimes there was enough flying slobber that I'd need the wipers.)

Heywood had a long illness too and in the end was totally Cushingoid from 3 years of steroid therapy. I was prepared but you're never really prepared for the "real deal". That was 5 years ago and I still haven't gotten another dog. He was just that good.

-e

 

So sorry to hear of your loss. I too have a dog that suffers from Cushings, a very hard disease to control and was even harder to diagnose, he is atypical in every sense. I know I will have to make a very hard decision one day.
I'm so glad Ted got to enjoy her ride! I'm sure she loved it!

 

b13mini, any time Ted's thread lights up, I have to check it out (of course, right?). You have my condolences on your ongoing saga. If I may offer a little piece of advice...while you're doing what you can for your dog, be sure to pay attention to his lessons. Ted taught me the value of living for 'today'. The reality is none of us know what's around the corner. Ted didn't worry about her disease. She had many good days on her treatment and we were lucky enough to share her pleasures, even when the disease started to manifest in tangible / noticeable ways. It was hard for us, as it is for you, but we came to realize Ted just lived.

I don't know if you've read through this whole thread, but (as weird as it sounds) Ted was largely responsible for my MINI and her lessons helped (and help) me to maximize the enjoyment from it.

Best of luck to you...my heart goes out to you.

 

Thanks!

I do live for today, #1 reason I ordered my MINI, life is short and you never know and if I can drive a fun car until then, well why not? Learned that one the hard way many times over.

As for Lucky, he teaches me lessons every day as well. The hardest one for me is patience, but I'm trying. He is in his drink a bowl of water, bark, go outside to pee, bark, come in, drink a bowl of water, bark to go out, bark to come in, bark cause his bowl is empty, about 6-7 times a night (not counting anything before 5pm). It's getting really hard, but I have to keep telling myself he can't help it and he is such a sweet, dumb dog underneath it all!

It really is amazing what they can teach you! He's had soooo many issues aside from the cushings, and has almost done himself in looking to satiate his hunger. (Pancreatitis so bad last fall he almost didn't make it cause he knocked over a bottle of canola oil and licked it all up thinking it was food)!

But he is here and happy in his own world waiting for a ride in the mini and I hope I can oblige!

Pics of the gang in my gallery. One last year looking v thin and bald (after his pancreatitis bout, hence the bad poodle shaves on the legs and neck for ivs) and a bad pic but super furry, weight back on, happier and , you guessed it drinking water this year.

 

:-( This thread brought tears to my eyes. I just had to give up one of my birds to birdy heaven. My daughter was with me when he passed at the Animal ER yesterday. She is taking it pretty hard (8 years and never had an animal pass before now). Ted will always be with you. Love the coffee cup with her pictures!