Everyone needs a fleet of flying monkeys to rip the stuffing out of the annoying people in their lives
— Laura
About three weeks ago Jack started acting like his back hurt again and then quickly was having trouble standing. I swooped him up and took him to the local vet here and then thought “Umm, no, I’m sure you’re a good vet but I’m taking him to the orthopedic surgeon who performed his spinal surgery last year” and left straight away for Columbia.
Jack saw his surgeon, had an MRI, and then saw a neurologist. They basically said he’s a dachshund and genetically they’re a fucking mess. So are all short-legged breeds, because in order to get short legs there’s a gene missing that technically deforms their spines along with their legs, and with age the disks start crushing and erupting. Sigh.
This time Jack wasn’t completely paralyzed like he was last year when he had his spinal surgery. The neurologist suggested trying medication and six weeks confinement because he had two, maybe three disks acting up this time, one in his neck and two closer to his rear legs. The surgery would be astronomically expensive and also during Jack’s exam they discovered he had developed a heart murmur so basically the surgery and recovery could kill him. I took him home with muscle relaxers, sedatives, and prednisone.
For the first two weeks I think I cried every day thinking I’d have to make “the final decision” very soon. I would never be so selfish to keep him alive if he were in constant pain or if his quality of life was going to suck. The worst thing was trying to judge his condition because all his meds made him all wobbly and weird. Once he came off most of his medication after the second week though I started seeing a dramatic improvement. Now it’s hard to keep him confined, though I certainly will for three more weeks, and he’s back to being “normal”- wagging his tail, all happy and carefree, barking at everyone and everything, tearing everything up in his kennel, and trying to sniff the cat’s asses if they get too close.
Yep, he’s back to being a shithead, the Jack I love.
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Oh Laura! Poor Jack and you…so glad to hear he’s feeling better….
I’m very glad too. Thank you.
This is great news! I was very worried about Jack! I have a French Bulldog with spinal compressions all over & it is terrifying. I just wish when we do the confinement thing – they could understand why. Instead, they cry-we cry. It’s a vicious circle.
I know, right? He looks at me like I’m being mean and he’s all “But..but..I’ll be good if you let me out.” Which really, is such a bald-face lie in it’s own.
great to hear – i guess it is time to be grateful for every shithead day he has.
be careful jack – you are loved.
and yeah, i know, the corgis have that who short leg thing going on too. i already restrict Gus’s activity big time. pisses him off too.
Oh yeah, keep ‘em confined and from jumping- that’s for sure.
All this breeding dogs with shortened noses (horrible breathing problems), shortened legs (what you’ve mentioned), larger head than hips (essentially my neighbor’s mini french bulldog had to have her babies’s skulls crushed inside because they couldn’t come out) – this should be against the law.
Poor Jack, and poor you having to even consider that one day he will have to pay for being bred into genetic disadvantage.
But it is so good to hear he’s ok now!
You are such a great pet-mommy to take care of him like that!
Hugs and kisses, especially for Jack!!
~PolishSpring
I agree completely. Breeding genetic messes should be illegal. But if there’s money to be had…
I knew doxies were genetic messes, but he was being tossed away from an owner who couldn’t care for him as a pup. J had always said “Jack better thank God he has you” mostly because he’s a little shithead and most people wouldn’t tolerate it.
No, not “shithead”. It’s pronounced “opinionated” and “determined”
;-D
Yes, he’s lucky to have you.
~PolishSpring
Tell him that and to behave.
I feel ya the pain of THAT decision. We will be crossing that bridge very soon our selves. So glad I decided to check the blog today. You are such an awesome fur-mom. So glad to hear the good news and I hate hearing about the heart murmur. Sending Reiki.
Okay, I’m not ready to go yet. There’s hobos to be shot, hookers to bury, and too many gin and tonics to be drank.
J says if there’s such a thing as reincarnation- everyone would want to come back as one of my pets.
Thank you.
Did you get that pet stroller yet?
Yesum and he hates it : (
Turdley! You will get in the fucking stroller and LIKE it or you can do with out!
(how was that? Did it work?)
He prefers doing without the stroller. Spoiled lil bastard likes being carried around too much!
Jack, quit being an asshole! Mommy has stalkers, err, fans that need for her to have time to write.
Seriously, Laura, how many of Jack’s sedatives did you tkae?
Ha! Believe me I would have taken some if I thought he could spare some!
I’m so glad to hear Jack’s improving! Sounds like he’ll be back to full shitheadery soon. Go Jack!
But he’s going to be reined in some. Like crated whenever I’m not with him. He’ll hate it, but oh well.
We had rescue doxies for years, we used to call them “WMD’s” Weiners of Mass Destrucion. Love the little guys though. Just can’t buy nice rugs or furniture. LOL So glad to hear Jack is ok!
THAT is his redeeming factors- being adorable and very affectionate. Other than that he is a shithead.
Jack may be a little shithead but he’s your little shithead and there’s not another like him in the entire world (close, but not identical!). I’m sorry to hear he was sick but glad he’s getting better. Did the doctor give you a prescription for drugs and alcohol so you could better care for him???
I found the liquor store here first day I moved in. I stocked up after my trip to the specialists.
So glad to hear Jack is in recovery. I know how it feels to see your furbabies in pain.
It’s horrible to not “make it all better” quickly.
I’m so glad Jack is feeling better! I’ve seen, somewhere, a Dachshund owner used a skateboard to relieve the pressure on his back. They put him on it, so the front wheels are behind his front legs, and the back wheels are in front of his back legs. Would you want to try that?
I threatened to velcro him onto a skateboard last time.
Wonderful news! Yay for Jack! (And for you.)
Thank you!
(And I’m still reading your book! It got packed away of course..and I’m searching for it! Sorry it’s taking soooo long!)
Well….you can use your pool for therapy…. he is one very lucky doggie….you are the best mommy EVA!
I’m sure to hear him tell it I’m a tyrant. Which I am, just not to him. And yes! The pool will be his therapy once he gets the okay.
yeah, the time and money spent on Noodles is exhausting. I am pretty sure when I kneeled in front of the vet, crying “we will spend any money to fix her” they took me seriously. dear god….
Glad Jack is feeling better!
Yeah, they got you over a barrel with your pants down at that point. Been there, doing that.
Thank you! I hope Noodles is doing well. What an adorable pup.
That’s a rough road Laura. Sorry for you and Jack. Really, really glad to hear he’s doing so much better.
He is so, so, so much better. Thank you.
That’s gotta suck, thinking “Has the day finally come?” Glad you’ve got extra Shithead time with Jack. I know that’s the only thing keeping you from bogarting all his meds.
Ha! For reals.
I learned the hard way that having doxies sure is a love/hate relationship. But I’m glad you to get to keep loving and hating it a while longer!
That is an excellent way to describe living with a doxie.
So good to see you back and with good news about Turdley, I mean Jack. (I’ll never forget that story about J. calling him that and Why) I’m so happy he’s much better ! I guess I got off easy with my doxie Tina when I was growing up. She wasn’t a WMD, but she Was hilarious. This was back in the 60′s. She didn’t have any back issues. That is so wrong for specialized breeding to cause so many problems for so many doxies (and so much stress and worrying for moms !)
Speaking of little terrors, I noticed in a book about Jack Russell Terriers they actually called them Jack Russell Terrorists. A friend of mine had one and that’s pretty much true !
Please give Jack a hug and a smooch for me. He has me and So many people sending him healing energy.
Keep sending them!
J still calls him that constantly. Jack, of course, answers to it.
Jack Russell’s (and most terriers) are just too damn energetic!
Been there a lot Laura. Stay strong, they sense when you feel weak.
Prayers for you and Jack.
Thank you.
Prednizone, yep. Fixed my back up a few years ago too. And being a genetic mess like Jack, I know whereof I speak.
Excuse me while I go take a dump on the patio, company’s coming.
You’re Turdley’s brother from another mother (and father.)
That made me LOL!
Whew! I am sooooo glad for you and Jack.
Give him a skritch behind the ears from me, willya?!?
I will!
Poor Jack! I hope (but kinda know) how much he appreciates you seeking out such excellent medical care for him. He’s one lucky little shithead. Do you have any stairs of any kind in your new place? A friend had a Doxie with similar issues and they had to ramp the whole house, even the one step down to the living room. It seemed to help the canines but made navigating the house extra fun for the humans. Sending Jack a ton of good healing mojo!
Few stairs. And we are getting some ramps made for the few areas he might need them.
Sooo glad to hear. I would be a complete wreck. Thanks for letting us know – I have been wondering if y’all were okay.
Yes, I’ve had some emails inquiring. Hard to write a blog when you’re occupied with real world stuff for sure.
Sounds like things have been pretty rough. I’m so sorry! You gotta tell Jack that even though he’s feeling better to leave burying the hookers to you, he’s not as young as he used to be.
Ha! I’ll tell him.
Hey Laura,
Sorry to hear about Jack’s problems.
One thing you might want to try is adding Omega 3
fish oil to Jack’s diet. Now I’m not a vet (nor
do I play one on TV) but it does wonders for me
in helping with my back, hip and knee problems.
Seriously. I’ve been told it helps fill the discs
so the nerves don’t get pinched.
I’ll ask his doctor about it. Thanks!
If something like that happened to me I’m pretty sure my wife would go ahead and put me down. The dog, however…
I bet there’s not much stopping her now, eh?
So that’s where you’ve been, that sucks
glad he’s feeling better though. Did not know that about the genes, that’s interesting.
Yep, that’s where I been.