Maeve is doing very well. She is healthy, quirky, and spending more time outside due to the dropping temperatures. Is it ever too cold for a Great Pyrenees? Not lately. She loves her nightly walks when it's absolutely freezing. I have to admit I enjoy them, too. The only time I whine is when there is a wind chill. I'm also a little annoyed at having to carry coyote-defense gear, but after coming across three of them, at one time, on our street, a "big stick" is in order. Generally, I suppose, a Great Pyrenees is itself a defense against a coyote since they were bred for that kind of thing, but I'm not willing to let that go down, especially as I would refuse to let go of her leash.
Maggie, on the other hand, has been very ill. At first it was pancreatitis, and within the last few weeks her kidneys and liver have become involved. She also still has to deal with Cushings disease, which is a contributing factor to pancreatitis. She has spent many nights as an inpatient with our vet. We brought her home again yesterday, with a pile of medications. Fortunately, she has an appetite now, so it is possible to get the medications into her. Unfortunately, her appetite focuses mainly on freshly cooked chicken and very little dog food. Unless you count chicken as dog food, which it is around here. We believe that this is Maggie's end game, and we aren't sure what to expect, time-wise. She is happy. She is comfortable. And she is as sweet as ever. So, as long as she remains happy and comfortable, we will do all we can for her.
You know what? November marked Teddy's passing. Three years! And Sophie has been gone six years as of October. I think about them daily, as with all my dogs that have gone on. I came across a moving blog entry on a website relating the passing of a beloved dog, and it reminded me of Teddy a bit, due to the cancer of the spleen and the rabbit incident. What is it about retrievers and rabbits? In remembrance of my dear Teddy, and my sweet Sophie, I want to share that with you. Click here if you would like to read it.
I hope you enjoy it. You may want a tissue nearby...