Razor's Final Day

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Indy & Razor in Razor's Last Weeks

This has to be one of my favorite, sweetest pet photos!

"Razor" b. 4/18/06 d. 11/10/07

Razor lost his battle last Saturday to bone cancer. It had spread to his lungs fairly quickly. We don't know a lot of details, as we decided not to put him through any further testing, x-rays, or otherwise unnecessary treatment since bone cancer is such a death sentence anyway. We kept his pain level tolerable as best as possible...

Maybe 3 weeks ago, he started an occasional cough. It became more frequent very gradually, but overall he seemed happy and still wagged his tail and loved being with us (typical Lab). That was all that mattered. We continued to work on his pain level, though, as the tumor in his hip had swollen to an obviously uncomfortable size. We kept him on Prednisone throughout, and just in his last week had started him on a pain killer, Tramadol.

On Thursday the 8th, I noticed his breathing becoming more difficult, and I called Dr. Bowman Friday to see if we could do anything to help him be more comfortable. He suggested a fluid pill but couldn't give any promises that it could work, with a maximum prognosis of 2 more weeks to live. I decided the drug wasn't worth the effort. I was upset but started to process this thought Friday afternoon. I got home first, and Jason was late for running errands. Around 5 p.m., Razor started a coughing fit and coughed up a lot of blood with some sort of tissue. I remained calm but realized his end was very near. After he got home, Jason and I started discussing plans for euthanasia the following day, Saturday. We loved on Razor all night and gave him what would be his last rawhide bone. He so enjoyed it!

Razor had a great night. He woke us up just before 7 a.m. coughing and hardly ever stopped. He continued coughing up some more blood. I called the vet clinic to make sure they could accommodate us, and we waited on Jason's parents to come pay their respects (they had done some dog sitting for us). His breathing became very difficult and it was very painful to watch. I felt guilty that he had gotten to that point of suffering, but I was grateful for the timing that it was Saturday, not a Sunday when the regular clinic is closed, or overnight, or while we were at work. So, his suffering was relatively short. Razor went to Doggie Heaven just after 10 a.m. The vet (not his regular vet who did his surgery) and the tech we saw were very kind and acknowledged we should not have waited a minute longer to bring him. It is truly a gift we can give our pets--to humanely end their suffering. The tech (who helped with his luxating patella surgery) expressed that he was 1 of her favorite dogs to work on, and that now he has 4 perfect legs and is chasing balls! I told her that yes, he might be, but is definitely chewing on sticks too--1 of his favorite outdoor activities. :)

We buried him beside Phoebe, who we lost a couple of years ago to a truck on US Hwy 340. I sure miss them both. Phoebe's death was very sudden at her young age of 2. That was a very difficult loss for us. We feel particularly cheated, as well, with Razor's illness that he succumbed to at just under 19 months old. He was so kindhearted without a mean streak in his poor sick body at all. I ask, don't the mean animals seem to live forever?

While we are angry at God for cutting our time with Razor so short, I remain thankful that he could be with us while he could and that we could love him and care for him the best we knew how. I also trust God's timing. Our little one is expected within a couple of months. I pray and trust that this was God's way of taking 1 more worry or burden from our plates in time for the biggest life change and commitment--welcoming a child into our home.

Indy, our Border Collie X, is doing well. He is getting extra attention from us now of course. For several days he acted different. That was difficult to see. The primary behavior was that he still looked for Razor in his crate where his crate was set up in the foyer. So far he is doing fine, though. We told him that he is an "only child" for just several more week now! It seems very quiet in the house now without Razor, but I know that is all about to change very soon!

We sure miss you, buddy! We will see you again... 1 day...

Stay tuned for more pictures of him I hope to post.

Razor Update 3

This one is way overdue, but finally we have a somewhat concrete answer. Razor has had lots of trouble in the same leg since his surgery. However, his surgery was very successful and did not fail. Turns out his extreme pain that developed recently is from the head of his femur (upper leg bone). After taking another set of x-rays, our vet, who consulted with 3 or 4 other vets also, is fairly certain he has bone cancer (which is typically very aggressive). It is possible that his surgery sped up the attack of it. It is also possible that he has an infection from the patella (knee) surgery, but that is more unlikely. He is currently on an antibiotic and Prednisone. The long term affects of Pred do not look very appealing. But for now we have decided to take the situation day by day and not put him through any more x-rays (which require sedation) or testing. Dr. Bowman wanted to x-ray his chest to see if it has spread there yet. We don't see where that will gain him any quality of life or time, so we have declined to know at this point. We appreciate your continued prayers for his comfort and happiness in the days, weeks, months? ahead. We love you, Razor!

Razor Update 2

Let's see, this month has been so busy! Last Friday (Aug. 10) Razor got his staples out, and his re-check with Dr. Bowman was this past Wednesday. Dr. Bowman has put him in his top 10% of patients with this type of surgery according to his recovery progress! Yay Razor! And now his physical therapy regimen:

Week 1 (8/15-8/21): 2 minutes off leash outside for elimination. 10-15 minute leash walk. No jumping on or off deck. (We need to try to make sure he goes slowly on leash up and down the deck stairs.)

Week 2 (8/22-8/28): 5 minutes off leash outside for elimination. 15-20 minute leash walk. No jumping on or off deck.

Week 3 (8/29-9/4): unlimited time off leash (with no other dogs). 30-minute leash walk. No jumping on or off deck.

9/5: Call Dr. Bowman to discuss progress!

Razor Update

He got a new bandage Thursday and then another one again on Saturday (when the vet got to have a look at it also). Razor did start chewing it off Friday, so we had to buy him an e-collar. He can still reach it, but at least it's a deterrant. Tomorrow we can cut off his final bandage! He is scheduled to have his 20-some staples out on Thursday already.

Surgery Successful

Razor's surgery was successful and went very well Monday! The doctor said had it gone on another 8 months or so, the knee most likely would have been non-repairable! The name of his condition was a luxating patella. See more info here.

We picked him up Tuesday evening, and he’ll get a new bandage Thursday or Friday if he is not bothering or chewing it. Then Saturday or Monday he can have it taken off. On the 15th Dr. Bowman will re-evaluate and give further instruction for his physical therapy. At this time, he is not to have any activity for 2 weeks except to rest in his crate, and to go potty. Poor Razor! But in about 6 months he should be much happier and able-bodied. (His limp had gotten very painful and pitiful looking.) We hope you feel better soon, buddy.

This is a picture from this morning. If you'd like to see more, check out our photo album.

Upcoming Knee Surgery

Well, the good news is it's not for one of us (me or J). It's for our poor limping Razor. Turns out his hip displaysia isn't so bad... However his knee is remaning dislocated; hense all his limping. Dr. Bowman could not even put it back in place at his checkup. He is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Bowman on July 30th. He should need around 6-8 weeks of recovery, and another 4-5 months to relearn to walk, run, and trust his "new" knee. His ailment is pretty serious as he is very young (only about 15 months!), and if we let it go on, he won't be able to use that left hind leg at all. :(

We hope this helps you feel better, buddy!

Tuckered Out Pups

Returning Friday

Jason is to return Friday night. He's scheduled to fly out of Obregon, Mexico 1025 EST and arrive in Charlottesville @ 2040 EST (with a couple of different flights in between). The dogs and I will be so excited! He hasn't been feeling well. :( Something with his stomach and bad allergies. (No, he's not drinking the water.) He's ready to come home.

We had my good friend spend the weekend with her boys (1 and 4). They were a joy and the dogs loved having them. We both were so impressed with how well they did with the little kids. Yay that is great for us when and if we have the pitter patter of those little feet! ;-)

Away He Goes

Jason leaves Monday for Mexico. His loooong day of travel will include...
DEPART Charlottesville @ 0655 EST
ARRIVE Ciudad Obregon @ 1900 (pretty sure that is 2100 EST)

Of course I will miss him every day, but I think Indy will too! Razor, hmm, he is so laid back (typical Labrador), I don't think it will scar him too badly. J & Indy are *tight*

Recent Happenings

OK, time for an update... Jason has been very busy at work with projects... and another project... and, oh yeah, we can ask Jason to do this project too! All due yesterday, right?!?

Paige helped train a friend's horse a couple of weeks ago and got an awesome riding lesson from her at the same time. It was so fun to teach the horse and to be learning too!!!! Only the second time someone had been on Kiari. More training for her to come, maybe tomorrow.

Indy & Razor are well, though we suspect Razor has fairly profound hip dysplasia. This is a very common problem in the Labrador Retriever and is so sad when the popular breeds are literally "overbred" and create even more health problems.

And we are still TTC (that's cyber for trying to conceive). God willing, this time next year maybe we'll have one more with us "at home for the holidays!"

~ Merry Christmas ~

Skidboot the Dog

We think Indy is mixed with the same breed as this dog (Austrailian Cattle Dog)!

A heart-warming segment from Texas Country Reporter, with Bob Phillips.

For more information visit www.TexasCountryReporter.com or www.skidboot.com

The Patient

We took this pic yesterday. Razor had his neuter surgery today and all is well so far. He is still groggy but seems to be recovering fine.

Indy, on the other hand, started his leg lick again a month or 2 back when we let him get too bored. Now he won't let the spot heal and continues to work at it with that tongue. We're keeping an E-collar on him, hoping it will hurry up and heal, but it is slow going... He is so mad when that crazy thing is on him...

I Support Altering

We have scheduled Razor for his neuter surgery at the Shenandoah Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic. The Clinic states, "Scientific research shows that altered pets live longer and are less likely to develop some forms of cancer and infections." I think these organizations are wonderful as they strive to reduce the unwanted pet population. They also state: "Our mission is to reduce and ultimately end the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats in the Valley." Hey and Indy came to us altered since he is from a Border Collie rescue program. It would be at least $100 more at our vet... For me it's a given to have your pet altered if you have a Heinz57 (the best!) are you not interested in breeding. We have a bitch who roams our
neighborhood every few months and we do not want to be partly responsible for any more unwanted Heinz. ;-)

Please support these organizations by sending them referrals and/or donations!

Paige

It's Been a Stinky Week

Now this post is not going to be "pretty,” but we hope at the very least humorous. Our puppy stays stinky, because, well... he is a puppy (now nearing 5 months old). Enough said. Razor's nickname was already "Stinky." Then early last week Indy decided to get diarrhea. Something he must have eaten outside... Lasted for several days but for the most part he kept it ouside. However on Thursday Jason came home and had to clean it up from 2 different rooms -- including carpeting AND a wall. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH we are dog lovers... right?? Therefore, Indy quickly became "Stinky II." (It was nearly unbearable.) And to end the week with a real "bang," Paige let Indy outside Sunday evening and he found, you guessed it, Peppy Le Pue... (For you French students, it was actually "La" Pue -- he was a "she.") Paige dragged Indy to the house, already sprayed and nose burning, trying to get it out of his nose by running his nose anywhere on the ground possible. She yelled to Jason "shoot the skunk!" Jason found her (the skunk not Paige) and killed her (sorry animal rights activists). The stench that ensued finally ran the neighbors off their porch into the house. Jason said it looked as though Peppy had been nursing. Did you know some people have the babies as pets? You can have their odor duct (or whatever) removed. They sure would make cute little pets. Kinda like having a ferret. The stinky ending to a particularly stinky week, in the literal "scents!" We never have found the babies... Sorry Peppy...

Summer's Over

We had a great time with Paige's LVC housemates. They slept in a lot and didn't see a lot of the sites. :) But it was wonderful for Paige having them here to visit. Where has the summer gone? Jason expects to go to Mexico again in another couple of weeks. He stays busy at home mowing and woodworking projects! Paige is still trying to declutter STUFF! And train Razor when she feels the inspiration. He is still in puppy class and growing by leaps and bounds. He is almost 4 months old already!!!! Oh, and we also got Indy a DogWatch® unground electric fence. He is so much happier now being able to go where he pleases outside (on our property only of course). Perhaps Razor will need a collar later. We will see how he does. He is still a bit young to train for it. He still tends to want to keep us in sight.

Love to all,

P & J

Mexico ... & Hair?

Jason is off to Mexico again for about a week. Paige is eager for her Lutheran Volunteer Corps housemates to visit in a couple of weeks. And we have decided to bite the bullet as they say, and buy an underground electric fence for Indy (& Razor). We hope it will give them more freedom outside.

And... what happened to Paige's hair???? The stylist took a "bit" too much off, but at least it is July and she is in the right month to enjoy it! Oh, and she never wears it straight so she thought she'd better preserve "the look" with a pic.

What do you think?

Razor is 8 Weeks Old

Razor is 8 weeks old today! Indy is a good step brother!

We Named Our New Pup

Razor! He is our new Lab X pup, born approximately April 18, 2006.

We are thinking a mix with Austrailian Shepherd, what do you think?


by pj_kite

~ Paige & Jason