Doggie Heaven - Sobe, we'll miss you!

The Diagnosis

Our beloved Sobe was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at 5 months of age.  It was a relief to come to some conclusion because we couldn't figure out what was wrong with him initially but it was definitely not something I expected and it has caused me so much pain. 

Sobe developed a cough at the end of March and was being treated for a respiratory infection but the cough wouldn't go away.  An x-ray was taken, a CBC/ Chemistry panel was done and they were both inconclusive.  A few more vet visits and another x-ray brought to light that his heart was shaped differently.  We got sent to a larger animal hospital where they did more extensive tests which determined that his mitral valve was not working properly and that he was already at the later stage of heart failure.  There was no cure; Sobe was doomed.  I was so devastated and heart-broken with the news that I cried for days.  It was even more heart-wrenching to see him play and not realize he was dying.  The vet said Sobe's prognosis was very poor and if we were really lucky, he would have a year but realistically, he said Sobe only had about a couple of months to go but each dog is different.  Sobe was given a cocktail of medication and I was given instructions on what to do in case of an emergency.  We had to keep a log of Sobe's respiratory rate and if there was any increase, we needed to bring him to the hospital asap.

Mitral Valve Dysplasia

You can read up online or click on the links I provided to get the detailed explanation of mitral valve dysplasia but my quick version is the valve that pumps blood into the lungs isn't working.  The valve is supposed to open and close with each pump of the heart but in Sobe's case, the valve doesn't close which doesn't provide adequate pressure to pump the blood into his lungs.  Instead, the blood flows back into the heart and over time, the heart enlarges and fluid starts to build up in the lungs.  Basically the fluid in the lungs create the coughing and in severe cases, the dog will feel like he/she is drowning.  This was what happened to poor Sobe.

The Day of...

Our weekend started off with the usual:  me getting up at 7am to walk Sobe, feed him and put him on our bed while we slept a couple more hours.  I noticed that morning that Sobe was coughing a bit more than usual but figured the Lasix (diuretic medication) would work.  At 12 noon, as we prepared to go to the park, he was still coughing which was concerning so I gave him another dose of Lasix.  We had a nice time at the park with the beautiful weather.  We brought a blanket, sat under a tree in the shade and people-watched.  Sobe didn't run around - he stayed by our side taking everything in.  He continued to cough but not as much as when we were at home earlier.  On our way back home though he continued to have coughing fits and I noticed that his breathing was getting more frantic.  I knew that we needed to get him to the hospital if it didn't improve.  We went home to drop off our things and gave Sobe 10 minutes to rest and relax.  There was no improvement and he was lying on the floor, his ribcage moving in and out as he coughed and gagged.  We rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible with me driving and Rick holding onto him.  It was so difficult for me to drive while watching him struggle for each breath.  At this point, Sobe's head was extended trying to breath and there was panic in his eyes. 

When we got to the hospital, the nurse took him quickly to give him oxygen and an IV.  Rick and I waited in the waiting room for 15 minutes before the vet came and brought us to his office for the "talk."  He basically asked what our plans were and what we expected out of the visit.  He was honest in telling us that Sobe would probably not make it out of the crisis and even if he did, it would happen again.  It was so difficult sitting in that room with the obvious weighing in around us.  It was awful to make the decision to end a life but this was the second time Sobe had a coughing episode which ended him up at the hospital and this was more severe than the first.  It would only get worse and who knew if we would be home to catch it the next time around.  We were actually lucky that this happened on a weekend when we were home with him.  Rick and I decided that it would be best to end his struggle no matter how difficult the decision was.  To stabalize him and then have him go through this again would be extremely selfish of us.

The next step that occured after we decided to put Sobe to sleep is something that will remain in my mind for a long time.  The vet brought Sobe in for us to say our good-byes.  Sobe was wrapped in a blanket and he was gasping and wheezing.  Just remembering his pain brings tears to my eyes.  Sobe who normally fears the vet and snuggles as close to me as possible, was so focused on breathing that he was hardly aware that we were there.  I held his face and looked him in his eyes and told him I love him.  He looked back at me and continued to gasp and I knew he wanted out.  There wasn't anything else I could do for him at that point.  Rick and I held onto him and kissed him as the vet injected the sedative into his arm.  The pain made him look up at me with wide eyes and I held onto him and kept telling him I love him.  Eventually he put his head down on the table as the vet gave him the last injection.  I saw his eyes change.  They lost focus and Sobe stared out at nothing.  His gasping stopped.  His body relaxed and it was over. 


Chewie Chewbacca

Through all this, I was staying in touch with the breeder and kept her posted on Sobe's condition.  Because Sobe got sick with what was a congenital issue, the breeder is sending us another puppy.  Rick and I picked out the puppy and he will be sent to us this coming weekend.  The puppy is a grizzle coat Lhasa we named Chewbacca aka Chewie.  The goal was to have Sobe take Chewie under his paws and teach Chewie the behavior we expect from him.  It's so unfortunate that Sobe left us so abruptly.  Sobe would have made a great big brother.

I've never owned a dog before and Sobe was my first.  I am so proud to say that he did everything I expected of him and more.  He accomplished all the goals I set for him.  This last month, he became housebroken, he was able to conquer walking down the stairs, he had no problems going for walks as long as we walk slowly for him, he did all his tricks including the new, "high five", he slept in his crate with the door open, and much more.  Sobe loved to be put on our bed in the morning so he can relax with us before we started our day.  We would watch the morning news or nap while he played with Mr. Lobster or lick Rick's ears.  Boy he loved licking Rick's ears!  I am sure Sobe was very happy to have us as his parents.  He showed how much he loves us by always wanting to be with us, teaching us patience and making us happy.  Sobe we love you to peices.  We're sad to see you go but are happy to know you are no longer suffering.  You're too special and that's why they put you on the express to Doggie Heaven.

Housebroken??!!

Sobe is now approaching 5 months old and he has been with us for 2 whole months now.  Feels like he's been around forever though!  I still can't believe I've been waking up everyday at 7am for 2 whole months and counting!!! 

In this entry, I'd like to revisit Sobe's potty training.  His last accident was on Monday morning when Rick and I were getting ready for work and we gated him outside the hallway to our bedroom.  He whimpered, scratched at the gate and ended up spotting on our rug.  I think he was nervous/ excited and panicking but still, an accident's an accident, whatever the reason.  Aside from that Sobe has been very good and holding it in.  I notice myself relaxing more lately and can even leave him in the room alone for a short amount of time.  His crate time has been shortened.  We used to leave him crated in the evenings for a couple of hours before his last walk of the night.  Now, he's out and about and we haven't had any accidents (fingers crossed).  We still crate him when we leave the house but I hope that by next month, we can confine him to the kitchen or part of the room where he can run around during the day and crate him at night.  Rick and I basically stick to a rigid schedule with him since he still doesn't communicate his need to go outside.  Let's see how this month progresses!!

Ear Infection Blues

I took Sobe to the groomers a couple of weekends ago and a week later, he ended up with an ear infection.  Rick thinks it's because I don't plug cottonballs in his ears during baths but I think it may have been the groomer!  Well, point is, Sobe has an ear infection and the vet gave us these drops to put in his ear twice a day.  The first night I gave him the drops, he had no clue what was happening and gave a squeak after I was done.  It was pretty effortless!  Next morning, it became a 10 minute struggle where Sobe squirmed and kicked.  I held him like a football under my arm and dug the bottle under his ear and administered the drops.  Keep in mind Sobe has floppy ears that don't stay up.  I fold his ear open but with each squirm, it will flop back down to cover up his ear canal.  I missed many times and he has ointment on his fur and around his head.  Poor thing looks like a grease ball.  By the third day, Sobe knew what's up.  He sees me grab the bottle of drops, buckles down and does not let me pick him up.  You'd be surprised how quickly they learn especially if it's something they hate!  From that third day on, it was a constant 20 minute struggle of kicking, wriggling, barking and snapping morning and night!  Rick has a bad case of humanizing Sobe and doesn't want any part of the "traumatizing" experience because Sobe will associate it with him.  So I wonder what Sobe thinks of me!  His crazy mommy grabbing him and relentlessly flipping his ear open twice a day!  It's already been two weeks of this and Sobe and I both hate it.  We would both be exhausted by the time I'm done with the last drop! 

Finally this weekend, I had Rick's friend, Aaron, help me hold Sobe down while I gave him the drops.  The whole ordeal was under a minute as opposed to 20 minutes of struggling!  Not like Sobe really has a chance to struggle under Aaron's headlock.  I'd like to add in that while Aaron and I were being the "bad guys", Rick called Sobe over to him afterwards cooing, "That's ok Sobe! I love you!"  Need I say more?

Eventually I was able to convince Rick that it's much better for Sobe to get through it as quickly as possible instead of prolonging a bad experience.  The last couple of times, Rick put Sobe on his side and held him still while I put in the medicine.  There was even less struggle this time!  Rick doesn't have to be the bad guy now and I hope Sobe will finally see a glimmer of halo over my head.

Places To Go and Doggies to Meet

It's been over a month since we had Sobe and in addition to him doubling his weight since day 1 (he's a 10-pounder now!), he's kept us busy every weekend!  Not to mention he's waking me up every single day at 7am regardless of Daylight Savings or weekends, rain or shine.   You figure cloudy days can trick him into thinking it's still nighttime but nope.  He starts whimpering at 7am on the dot and if I treated him well the night before, he MAY give me an extra 10 minutes.  Did I mention that the bags under my eyes are growing at the same rate he's growing?  I'm about to invest in another $25 tube of concealer but that's a story for another blog on aging. 

On weekends, because Rick and I feel bad for leaving him crated at home more than we have to, we take him everywhere with us.  Since we typically visit our families, Sobe gets to enjoy car rides and hanging out with the family pets, Tarzan and Boots, and getting hissed at by Tiggy.  I take him for walks in the different neighborhoods so he gets to meet various dogs and people.  Socialization really isn't an issue with Sobe.  I'm starting to think the issue is he's willing to take off with just about anyone.  I thought Lhasas are supposed to be loyal!

A couple of weekends ago, Rick and I dogsat for our friends.  Bandit is a very rambunctious Havanese puppy and when he and Sobe get together, they play non-stop and all you see is fur tumbling around on the floor.  I call the two of the Blazin' Bandit and his sidekick Sobe.  The good thing about the two of them playing is that when they nap, they knock out for hours.  They even go to bed early at night around 9pm but come 7am....... dammit Sobe!

This past weekend, Sobe met Keila, our friend's German Shephard puppy of 9 months.  She does not look like a puppy at all!  Keila is super sweet and such a smart dog.  I must brag that I taught her how to give her paw on Saturday!  For some reason, Sobe picked on her and would bark at her everytime she swatted him with her paw.  Poor Sobe must've had the Napolean complex! 

He was able to exert his "ferocity" by chasing the mallard ducks out on Long Island the next day.  Surprisingly, he walked around the entire park.  I've been having a difficult time getting him to walk these days.  He will sit down and not move at all once he's done his business.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm training him to walk on a leash and collar and he's not liking it.  I can pull until his little tongue pops out and he gags but he still won't budge.  He had his harness on at the park and was walking fine.  He was quite happy actually! 

As the weather continues to get nicer, I plan to keep taking him out with me so we can all get our exercise and be healthy!  He'll be equipped with his flea and tick medication and ready to dive into the patches of grass!  Now if he can just learn to sleep later!

Tiggy's New Prey

Tiggy the Cat: History

In 1997, I got a cat to keep me company while I was away in college.  I decided on a cat for the companionship since I rented an apartment off campus and I knew I didn't have the time to devote to training a dog.  Cats are so independant and I love that about them.   Tiggy kept me company through all my years in school and she was very much attached to me.  After graduation, I moved back home to my parents' house and Tiggy absolutely loved the larger living space.  She would go from the 2nd floor to the basement and even visit our neighbor on the 1st floor when he leaves his door open during the summer.  After getting married and moving out, I decided to leave Tiggy with my parents because it would be another adjustment for her and I didn't want to have her move into a smaller space when she enjoyed the house so much.  Rick thinks I abandoned her but I truly think that she loves my parents house and it wouldn't be fair to put her in a small apartment with no one at home during the day.

As Tiggy got older, she became more and more grouchy.  She wouldn't hide from visitors but she wouldn't be friendly either.  If a stranger goes near her, she will hiss and swipe with her paw.  This has happened to family and to friends who thought, "Cute kitty!" and reached their hands out to pet her.  Until this day, my dad and I are the only ones who can pick her up and set her on our lap without her getting upset.

Canine Victim #1: Tarzan

In 2001, my brother, Dennis, brought home his Yorkie puppy.  Tiggy wasn't happy at all.  She initially wanted nothing to do with him but Tarzan always wanted to play with her.  Tiggy taught him a lesson (actually, she's still teaching him these lessons) by chasing him and scratching him.  There were days when the house would be quiet and we wondered where Tarzan was.  One of us would find him cornered by Tiggy against the wall, sitting there motionless, afraid to move an inch because Tiggy would strike.  These attacks have subsided because Tiggy figured out that Tarzan isn't going to disappear anywhere but she still uses him to cure her boredom every now and then.

Canine Victim #2:  Sobe the Newbie

Since I've gotten Sobe, I've taken him to my parents' house a handful of times.  Most of the time, Sobe was too busy playing with the family or with Tarzan to really notice Tiggy's existence.  There were a couple of instances where Sobe saw her and tried to go towards her but with his short attention span, he would quickly refocus on something he thinks is more interesting. 

Yesterday was a quiet day at my parents' house and Tarzan wasn't around.  Sobe discovered Tiggy as if it was the first time and tried to go sniff her.  Tiggy gave warning hisses and growls to back him off.  It worked and he knew his boundaries but his curiousity is so strong that it got him in trouble. 

Seeing that Tiggy was taking her cat nap, Sobe siezed the opportunity to go up to her.  Now we all know that cats never really sleep that deeply!  They can be sneaky little things!  So the minute Sobe got close, Tiggy was on alert and hissed at him.  Sobe backed off and decided to go back to her again, as though he can't believe she doesn't want to be friends.  This time, Tiggy let Sobe get closer to her.  Straining his neck, Sobe leaned in to sniff Tiggy, not seeing her paw lifting.  In the blink of an eye, Tiggy swiped him on the head and left Sobe yelping and running for cover.  He hasn't gone near her since this incident!

Tiggy was always good at catching things:  mice when my parents had a couple a few years back, waterbugs, roaches and dogs.

A Follow Up to Sobe's To-Do List

Just want to follow up on our To-Do list for Sobe that was written back in February.  I had listed a few things we needed to work on with Sobe and I'm extremely happy to say that we've completed a couple of these goals!

The following were the 4 things on his To-Do list.  My comments on his latest progress are written in purple beneath each item.

1. Commands & Vocabulary - Sit, Outside, Lie Down, No bite, Off (when he jumps on us), Nite Nite, Slow (when he tries to run off on the leash when walking. He's pretty good at responding to this now!), Come here (he's SO stubborn with this one!), Get Over There (when he hovers and smothers you while you're trying to do something like clean his pee!)
Done: Sit, Lie Down, Off, Nite Nite, Come here.  Since he's teething, "No bite" is an ongoing battle although when he does grab my hand now, he doesn't chomp down on it like he used to.  "Slow" is also an ongoing battle because he gets so happy when he sees other dogs and wants to run up to them and play.  I have to stop walking, step into his space and block his view to be able to get some kind of control over the situation.  I hope consistency pays off on this one!  We haven't really been using "Get Over There" just mainly "Off" to get him to stop hovering by our feet when we're trying to walk.  By the way, I just stepped on him this morning because of his hovering.  Hope he learned a lesson! 

New Commands: Stay, Paw - both of which he is proficient at.
2. Walking into the elevator at the lobby - he did it this morning for the first time!
He's been soooo good about this now!  There are times where he will hesitate but if you take a step back to walk right next to him, he'll start moving forward again.  I think he's still a bit spooked by the big mirror in the lobby.  He even goes straight into the elevator without hesitating anymore.  The only thing I need to be cautious of is when we go out from our apartment.  There have been times when Rick and I had to clean pee up from the floor while waiting for the elevator.  Sobe obviously thinks that as long as he's out of the apartment, it's all fair game.  So for now, until his bladder gets stronger ,we have him walk out the door but then carry him outside.

3. Signal for going out - Training him to sit by the door before going out.
Nope, hasn't happened, not happening, don't know when it'll eventually happen!  Since we keep him out of his crate for 2 hours or more now, he's had a couple of accidents on our floor.  And I'm talking about full bladder accidents without giving us a single clue.

4. Wee wee pad - We usually let Sobe play after his walk. After about an hour, and if he's not crated we'll find him sniffing which means he probably has to pee. We need to bring him near the wee wee pad so he can learn to go on it. He's already starting to use the pad but still has accidents. I was skeptical about this one at first but a neighbor said that teaching him to use the wee wee pad as an emergency method will alleviate stress for us and for Sobe. Sobe won't have the burden of holding it for hours and we won't have the burden of hurrying home if we can't make it. Sounds good to me! I hope to slowly eliminate it as his bladder get stronger.
Rick and I eliminated the use of the wee wee pad pretty much a day after writing this initial entry back in February.  We've been really good about taking him outside on schedule.  Sobe is now able to hold his pee outside the crate for 2 hours and sometimes longer depending on how distracted he is!  So he's enjoying more time outside the crate these days.

Oh!  Sobe also lets me wipe him down without struggling as much anymore!  The Devil Dog came out once again last week but I've been consistently giving him a treat everytime he gives me his paw to clean without the nipping.

New Items for Sobe's To-Do List:

1.  I would love to work on him not being distracted so easily on his walks.  And when he does get distracted, I'd like to get him to respond to me when I say "Stay" or "Sit" instead of not hearing me at all.

2.  Still going to work on getting him to go to the door if he has to go outside!

I'm a Slave For You!

Another snow storm swept across NYC from Thursday to Friday.  We had over a foot of snow and a freebie long weekend due to school and business closures.  Whoopie!  I remember waking up as usual on Friday morning at 7am and taking the Royal Highness to potty, still bleery-eyed.  Remind me, who owns whom???  When we got downstairs and saw the dunes of white, I remember saying out loud, "Oh my gosh, Sobe!!  How are you going to walk out there?"  Luckily a few brave souls went out before me that morning and left a trail of deep footprints for me to walk on.  I carried Sobe most of the way, wondering how he'd go potty without getting buried.  Eventually, I had to resort to plowing a trail by doing a rollerskating motion, pushing what I can to the side.  Thank goodness I wore my tall rainboots!  Sobe was able to follow the bit of trail I made and do his business before jumping into a snow dune. I let him play for a bit before taking him back inside.  He had little balls of ice clinging to the fur along his belly area and it was painful for him when I tried to pick them off.  I had to give up and just let him defrost on his own and then wipe up the water from my floor.  Remind me again, who owns whom?!

With each walk on Friday, Sobe spent a lot of time hopping around and digging in the snow.  I gave up trying to give him a disciplined walk and just let him play and exhaust himself. By early evening, he was pooped.