Sunday, January 06, 2008

Happy Freakin' New Year

Or, how to kill your dog with margarine.



Master RD is one sick dog and he wants your prayers, good vibes or whatever you subscribe to, cosmically, sent his way.

On Friday night while I was out with friends, RD got into the recycling and cleaned out an old margarine container. On Saturday morning he began to vomit. When he refused breakfast and got the shakes, I called the vet. Some dogs refuse the odd meal. RD is not one of those dogs.

At the vet we learned that RD has suffered an attack of acute pancreatitis; its underlying cause may lay in the prolonged use of the prednisone that keeps him walking, but the onset was most likely the margarine, as consumption of fat often precipitates an attack like this. I know you readers are all smart enough to Google "pancreatitis" but here's the short version - RD's pancreas is digesting itself.

The result is one very, very sick RD. He's nauseous, he's weak, he's vomiting blood. Thanks to my wonderful vet and to Cookie Uncle, RD is hooked up to an IV line that is hooked up to my curtain rod, and he spends his days shaking and panting and puking on his dog bed. He's a good boy - he stays where I tell him to, and he doesn't touch his IV line because I asked him not to. It's not fair, he's such a great dog. Good health hates RD.

But I know you all love him. His eleventh birthday happens on the 29th of this month, and we want to be sure he's around to see it. Please send him your well wishes and keep my boy in your thoughts. He could sure use 'em.




51 comments:

Anonymous said...

Riva and I send all the best possible thoughts to you and RedDog as well as the other pups and Angry Donut (who all are watching and worrying I'm sure) and also to the most wondrous Cookie Uncle for all of his assistance and support.

Keep kicking RedDog...the Food Lady needs you around to keep her in line!

Take care of yourself Food Lady...we're all out here thinking of you and RedDog

Anonymous said...

Goddess bless RedDog, you and all the Woofs as well as Woo and AD. I hope RD and you can feel all the good energy me and my two Woofs and ferals are sending.

Robin

Info Goddess said...

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear about Red Dog. I've got a cat who's vomiting blood himself tonight so I share your worry! Sending positive thoughts to all of you...

Anonymous said...

Oh, poor RedDog!

So sorry to hear your not feeling well buddy, we're sending you lots of prayers and positive thoughts...

Think positive!

Katie

Anonymous said...

The picture of poor sick RedDog is making me cry - a creature so lovely should never be sick. Gracie and I send all our best wishes and healing vibes to him. And I am praying for him. Get well, RedDog - the world needs dogs like you.

Food Lady, please keep us posted. I had thought that no new posts meant you were off having fun - I am so sorry it was otherwise. You and RedDog are in my thoughts.

gracehoper said...

Not much is worse than seeing your best friend feeling really miserable. poor guy. Sending recovery prayers his way and de-stressing prayers your way.

Peanut said...

We are crossing all paws here and human hands also that RD feels better soon.

dp said...

Oh dear...those are some heart wrenching photos. We have all fingers and paws crossed here. If all goes well we can add hooves to the list next week.

Anonymous said...

My two senior woofs, Ben and Molly, and I send healing thoughts to Red Dog, such a good boy.

We've become fans of the blog since Mona and her litter made their appearance several months ago and I have become hopelessly smitten with your gang of four. I hope the best for RD, I know he's in good hands.

Anonymous said...

Ohh, poor RD, you look so sad and in pain! Best get well wishes EVER, lots and lots of good vibes. Please feel better and take care of your Food Lady! It hurts me to see like this, I cannot imagine how your mom feels... Stay strong, RD!

Anonymous said...

Get better Red Dog...I think your mama needs you!

tualizzy said...

Miss Brassy Pants, Jak, Lizzy and I are sendings lots of positive vibes, hugs and belly rubs to you Red Dog. We hope you'll feel better real soon.

Anonymous said...

Those pictures brought tears to my eyes... I'm so sorry RD is so sick. My two border collies Murphy and Seamus and I really hope to see him up and feeling ok really soon. A dog so great should never have to go through feeling like that.

Anonymous said...

From all my pups and me, Get well soon and get well completely, RD!

Schnitzie said...

Hey, S --

Just caught up on all the news on RD. I am so sorry to hear it! I'm sending RD all the PAWSitive juju I can muster and many big hugs for you...loads of love for both of you!!!!

I'm using my powers of mind control to make sure your other woofs and a woo and the donut will be on their very best behavior, so you and RD can have some peace and healthy rest. Glad to hear the puking has subsided.

Feel better, RD! You've got a big birthday celebration just around the corner, and you'll want to be at your very best!!!

Hugs, love, snuzzles, golden blue healing light, clean towels, rest and PAWSitive juju to you you!!!

Love,
Andrea

Anonymous said...

Rest up, Mighty RD. Your garbage-eating brethen in Alaska are looking forward to celebrating your 11th birthday in a few weeks, and we reallyreallyreally hope you're feeling a whole lot better by then.

P.S. Don't worry about being stuck indoors for a bit -- you're missing a crappy winter anyway.

Anonymous said...

I've never commented, but I've been reading your blog for a while now. The Brady Bunch puppies led me here from your rescue site but your 4 gorgeous dogs have kept me coming back!

Just wanted RD to know that me and my family (3 cats and an aussie and a boyfriend) are all sending love and good thoughts to him and yourself!

Get well soon RD!

Leann

Anonymous said...

Oh no poor Red Dog!

We are sending all our positive healing vibes and thoughts to him - hope he's one the mend soon.

Janet said...

Daisy and I send our very best and warmest wishes. Please get better soon, RD! We're so sorry to hear you're feeling so punk.

Anonymous said...

Red Dog is just a tad older than my dog, who is battling degenerative myelopathy. I feel for you, and I feel for Red Dog. Hang in there big guy! We want to see pictures of you with your next birthday cake!

Anonymous said...

RD, you have a multitude of Shelties in Chicago -- and the human that they hold hostage -- sending you 'get better quick' vibes.

Anonymous said...

RD - the varied fuzzies and feathers - and their food ladies - located just south of you - are sending you lots and lots of healing thoughts. It's clear that your birthday cake will not be coated in margarine this year, I'm sure your food lady will make sure it's very yummy.

Barbara said...

RD, get better soon.

We will keep our fingers and paws crossed for a speedy recovery.

Barbara & the Bedlams Pack

2halves said...

So sorry to hear about RD. How horribly scary for you. Good thoughts coming your way from SJ!

Get better RD!

hornblower said...

Aw, poor baby. Paws all crossed for a speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

I hope RD feels better soon. Sorry to hear he is so sick. Thinking of you guys.

Jen

Rohan said...

D;

RedDog, we love you! Feel better!

Anonymous said...

Oh no, poor sweet boy... Lucie and I are sending get well wishes to RD. Food Lady, hope to see you and the whole gang at Bridgeman soon

Anonymous said...

My heart was racing reading your blog today, oh poor RD, if only he knew how much we're all rooting for him, and you too food lady. Sending hugs, good vibes, good thoughts, whatever it takes to get him through this. from me and my 2 mutts.

Anonymous said...

Get well RD. Lots of positive energy is being sent your way.

Jen said...

Sending good juju for RD (and you!).

Anonymous said...

Oh, no! RDM, I am so sorry about poor RD. He just can't catch a break in the health department. Our prayers for his recovery.

(Oh, yeah....Cookie Uncle is a gem of a friend!)

Anonymous said...

Food Lady and Reddog, all the humans and furries in our house are sending universal grace and good vibes your way.

Carol, John, Gizmo, Nikki, Sam, Gus, Boo and all the dust bunnies...

Anonymous said...

Sending heartfelt prayers for RedDog and for you too, Food Lady. Hang in there baby boy, people all over the world love you.

Anonymous said...

Poor, poor Red Dog. I am sending some major good thoughts his way for a speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

Oh goodness, that poor dog. :( Hold in there, RD.

gdphoto said...

Oh dear RedDog, didn't you listen when the Food Lady tried to tell you that digging in the trash is for White Trash dogs? Or do you have White Trash in Canada? Please feel better soon buddy.

LabRat said...

Oh, poor RD! Hang in there - Janie, Bo and I are sending all the healing mojo we can.
Take care of yourself, too Food Lady!

Anonymous said...

Fingers and paws crossed here for RD - sending lots of positive energy for a quick recovery. Big Dog Little Dog does a low-fat pumpkin maple doggy birthday cake - hopefully RD will be recovered enough to celebrate in style!

Sherri said...

Sending all the healthy, healing, feel better vibes we can muster for Red Dog. Those pictures are heartbreaking. Such a sweet guy shouldn't have to be so sick :(

Anonymous said...

Oh, Red Dog :(

You and your food lady will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Hey RDM, I hope Red Dog is feeling better soon. He has been through a lot lately :(

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy I got to give RedDog a kiss today. I love him and I love you, big sis. RD and I share more than just a birthday... xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

ACB said...

Noooooooooo!!!! Ohhhhh my lovie Red Dog!!! If I could just reach through this monitor and across those miles and give you a loving hug....to feel your soft fur and wipe your poor little mouth!!! I am absolutely SOBBING, the empathy pains are just awful :( I am sending everything I've got your way big guy!!! You must pull through this, you must, you WILL. I love your buddies but it is you RD that keeps me coming back for more!!! Get better and rest tight!! Much love from the crazy lady in Texas *smoochies*

Anonymous said...

Food Lady, how is RD doing? I have been telling myself that no news is good news but would love some confirmation of that.

Sending healing wishes to your lovely boy. And comfort to you.

Anonymous said...

Poor Red Dog! Pancreatitis is a nasty, nasty illness. We are sending you our best wishes and prayers that you get better real soon from all the way down here in Australia.

Tia, Taj and Michelle

Anonymous said...

Red Dog, JerryLee and Taffy are sending prayers and healthy thoughts your way. We hope you are feeling better so you can get out and play on the beach soon.

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

Oh, poor, poor baby. I'm so sorry about Red Dog and hope he gets better really soon. It's so hard to see your pet in pain or sick, this must be so difficult for you as well.

We have an almost 11 yr. old male Vizsla named Charlie, and we are hoping he will live to be 90 at least, so I know how you feel. Can't even imagine our lives without him, don't want to think about it.

Our prayers are with you, Red Dog, and our good Karma, juju, and whatever else there is. Feel better!

Lizzy

Anonymous said...

We're thinking about you, RD! Please hang in there and feel better soon.

YOU hang in there, too, S!

~Paula

Anonymous said...

It's been a bad couple of weeks health-wise. I've bookmarked your blog because I think it's fabulous and I was shocked and crushed to see how ill RD is... poor poor guy. Sending all the vibes I can muster that he'll soon turn the corner and start feeling better!
-Salmonmoose

Anonymous said...

Red Dog is a fortunate fella to have found your love and devotion. We will continue to keep you and RD in our prayers.

Marie and DGD