Husky Hospice: Brandi

Hey Everydoggy,

I wanted to tell you about my friend Brandi. She's one of the dogs being supported by donations to Mapaw. Here's her story:

"Brandi was a senior female husky mix in urgent need of saving. Her story was a sad one, she was kept in a yard her entire life, year round with a female companion (possibly a littermate). Both Brandi and her friend shared the same name, the owner couldn't be bothered to give each of them their own identity, much less quality life. These sweet girls were thrown food when their owner remembered to feed them and were given a tarp-covered carport they shared with rotting garbage and old car and broken down equipment.

"There were no walks, no playtime, no human companionship, no love. All they had were each other. Then one day animal control was called and Brandi's friend was found starved to death and Brandi curled up by her side mourning her only friend and on the verge of starving to death herself.

"Brandi was taken to a safe shelter where she was wonderfully affectionate with humans. You could see in her clouded eyes how happy she was when they walked into her kennel to pet and to talk to her and how they would shake when they walked away, probably wondering what would happen to her next. She spent the majority of her time huddled in a ball in the corner of her kennel wimpering and shaking until someone woul come near. A dog that never knew human love still seeked affection and when touched she just nuzzled closer and closer. Brandi still had hope.

"We welcomed Brandi into our Husky Hospice Program and were told she needed a warm and quiet home to spend her final days. That was over a year ago and every day is a wonderful gift for both Brandi and for us.

"Brandi is now seventeen and is respected and loved. She is being spoiled and enjoys going to work with her foster mom every day. She has gained weight and enjoys many goodies and privileges to make up for her prior life. She has become partially deaf and we've supplemented our kind words with lots of hugs and kisses. She is starting to slow down but she is comfortable and happy. Most importantly, she knows she is loved very, very much."

Here's some pictures of Brandi. The first is of our little (baby) biped on the left and another Mapaw junior volunteer.

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann

Blog Interrupted...

We now interrupt this blog for...

senior

puppy

and little biped

Naptime!!!! (shhhh...be very, very quiet)

Go rest up...the next post will be here before you know it!

Puppy slurps, Canyon

V-E-T; bloodwork

Mom and the little biped are away to DisneyWorld (the trip was a birthday present to the Little Biped and Mommy's Day/Birthday present for Mom since her birthday is next week). So Dad's been taking care of us. I've been clawing at him for two days to get this written. Some work he's doing in taking care of us...

He thinks taking care of us is a visit to the V-E-T. Mom never does that when Dad's away on his business trips. But, Dad took me. The boys got to stay home. Here I think that I'm getting a special treat by going for a ride in the car, but NOOOOOOOOO - the V-E-T!!!

It started out OK with getting my weight checked. Then I go back to the exam room and that's when it got ugly. The technician stuck something in my bumhole. It was cold and I DID NOT LIKE THAT! Nosir, notforme! Then she left me and Dad alone. The V-E-T came in after a little wait. He's nice and I like him because he gives me medicine that makes my joints hurt less. I didn't know why I was there because I had a hard time hearing him and Dad. They watched me walk around some. Then Dad starts to show him my foot. It's been hurting some and I've been limping so one of my toenails wasn't wearing like the rest. I don't know why it hurts, but I suppose the V-E-T was trying to figure that out. He did trim my toenail and it bled like mad. Next, I got a bandaid wrapped around my foot.

(Dad here, the vet told me that it might just be a lump, but it could also be a bone cyst or tumor. We're going to keep an eye on it for a few weeks and if it changes, Kelsey's going back in for x-rays).

Kelsey here again... well now that Dad wrote what that, I know why the V-E-T was looking at my foot. I hope it's nothing. Then he got me up on the table and started to slip something like a large rubber band over my leg. This might have been OK. But then --- UH-OH! NEEDLE! Nosir, notforme! So, I bit Dad in the arm. Next thing I know, I've got a muzzle on and that nasty technician who stuck something in my bumhole is back. So, I did what any self-respecting lady would do. I tried to jump off the table to run away. It was tough with Dad and the technician holding me. The V-E-T stuck another needle in my other leg because he didn't get any blood the first time. No luck there either, so a third needle went in my neck...

I was not happy. I was starting to feel pretty bad too with three needle sticks, a bleeding toenail, and a sore bumhole. The V-E-T lowered the table and I jumped off, slipped on the vinyl floor, and fell down. Dad ended up having to carry me to the car because I was too sore to walk. He gave me a tramadol when we got home and I had to yell at Canyon several times because he wouldn't leave me alone. Later that night, the phone rang. I read the text message Dad sent to Mom and the bloodwork that the V-E-T did was all OK which means I don't have to switch off the rimadyl.

Well, its two days later and I feel better today. No more field trips with Dad. Thank woo very much for letting me stay home, Dad.

Woo-woo, Kelsey Ann

Hoppy Bunny Day!

Hey Everydoggy!

Sorry this is a day late but my humans were so busy with the little biped this weekend that there was no time for them to take the dictation of my blog. According to the pictures I saw the little biped spent her time chasing after bright colored eggs filled with stuff. Apparently she thought it was lots of fun! And here's the answer to everypups question.......yes, we got SNOW on Saturday!

This is what mom and the little biped did on Saturday afternoon.....

Looks yummy, huh? Well, I am sad to announce we didn't get to try any of it.

Then, the little biped came home from Grandma's house with lots more candy and chocolate and once again we didn't get to have any!

We didn't even get to catch the Easter bunny......I'm thinking Easter is a holiday that's not much fun for doggies!

Oh, and by the way, thank you all for the well wishes on my arthritis. Dr. Horst and my humans seem to have come up with a combination of medicines that keeps me comfortable. I will have to go see Dr. Horst for a blood work-up in a month or so to make sure the Rimadyl is not doing any damage to my liver. It really sucks getting old!

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann

Today's Trip

Mom and Dad promised I would get to go somewhere to see prey today. This morning when I woke up, I was really sore. It's the worst it has ever been. I was doing a lot of crying and was really cranky with everyone! I got my Rimadyl in the morning with breakfast. This week, I was alternating between two doses and one dose each day as we try and find the lowest effective dose. Yesterday was a one dose day. It helped some, but I was still really sore.

The bipeds left around 11:30 this morning. The little biped went to Dama's and Paw-paw's while Mom and Dad went to the toy store to buy some birthday presents for the little biped (her birthday will be in May). When they came back, I made sure they noticed I was still really sore. They took pity on me and gave me another dose of medicine. They weren't sure if I should go on the trip, but decided some exercise might be good to help stretch out some of the soreness.

Around 4 today, we got in the Sibe Vibe and took a ride to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. The picture to the left is of me once we got there and we were unloaded out of the car.

As we started down the trail, it appeared that there was a lot of snow on the fields. There were a lot of people standing and looking at this snow. As we got closer, I realized that the snow was moving around some and even seemed to be flying away! Then I noticed some sounds coming from the snow! Wait... this must not be snow. This must be the prey that Mom and Dad were talking about! It was snow geese and tundra swans. Here's some pictures of what we saw.

Me and the little biped - see the geese flying in the background

The tundra swans

Thousands of geese

Unfortunately, Mom and Dad kept me on a leash the whole time, so I couldn't go chasing them. (In reality, I didn't feel up to it). Dad tried to help me get into the car after the short walk and I was so sore I didn't want to be touched. I ended up biting his hand because I was scared it would hurt. The walk helped me feel better, I just was having a very bad day. Tomorrow, Dad's going to call Dr. Horst to see about getting some other kind of medicine for really bad days. He had suggested that opiates may be available for severe pain. But, even though I was very sore - I had a great time looking at the birds and spending time with the bipeds without Sky and the Annoying One.

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann

(I'll share more pics later, blogger was being tempermental like me tonight!)

Starting to feel better

Just came in from our last potty break before bed. Dad snapped this picture when we got in. Can you see the snow on my back?



Now of course, it's pretty obvious that there is definitely one thing going on and that's new snow. Wonder how deep it will get... But there's something else this snow on my back shows.

You need to know a few things about our house to understand this: 1) the picture was taken on the main level of the house; 2) we live in a ranch with a partially finished walkout basement; 3) the stairs out of the basement to the yard are on the west end of the house and the stairs from the basement to the main level are on the east end. So, I had to come go all the way from one end of the house to the other (about 60 feet) and up a flight of stairs. I moved faster tonight that I have in ages making this journey. I think the Rimadyl is helping.

We'll give it some time to see how well it does. Dr. Horst wants my dose cut in half after a week, and then maybe cut in half again so that I can be on the lowest dose possible. As long as it continues to work, I'm happy to keep taking it. One other added benefit... Canyon is more jealous now at meal time than ever before. Sky gets his zinc supplement, I get my joint supplement, I get PPA pills dipped in peanut butter, and now I get liver-flavored pain pills. Poor Canyon gets no treat-flavored medicine and he thinks he's missing out. ROTFL...

Woo-woo,
Kelsey Ann

Happy Day!

Hey Pups!

I am so excited today. Mom stayed home from work to be with the little biped, who it seems has "caught" a bad cold. The only thing I can say about that is, I wish we had gotten more sleep last night. It's been flurrying snow and Dad comes home from Mississippi.

I woke up thinking this was going to be a great day and then this happened.

What was the little biped thinking??? She's supposed t0 be sick....Yes, those are the dreaded Minnie ears from Canyon's calendar shoot.

Kelsey was none too happy either.

The day eventually improved. This afternoon Mom got the mail. She's been telling me all week there will be a special surprise for me and today it finally arrived.

Do you see what I'm wearing? My own custom-fitted sled-pulling harness. The lady who made it was really nice and was amazingly fast. Mom ordered it on Monday, the lady had it sewed and shipped on Tuesday! What service! I SOOOOOOO feel like a real sled dog now. Wooooo woooooo! Mom says the harness is for me to pull the little biped's wagon in a parade MaPaw is in on Sunday. We are going to do some practice tomorrow with me pulling the wagon in the backyard. I will be sure to post pictures. I can't tell you how excited I am. One of the best parts is that Canyon is REALLY jealous. Kelsey Ann is loving that. She doesn't care about pulling the wagon or a sled. She tells me she's too old for that junk! But, not me!

Canyon told me to tell you all he has found a new toy. He'll have to wait a few days though, to tell you about it. Since this weekend's blogging is all mine with the wagon practice and the actual parade.

Kisses, a very ecstatic Sky boy

Pee ess: I caught mom perusing the Fosters and Smith catalog that arrived in the mail today

Cooler Weather

Someone once said in a song that old men sit and talk about the weather and old women sit and talk about old men, but in this case I believe that an old dog will be talking about the weather rather than some old men.

I heard the weather man say two weeks ago that autumn had begun. I knew this mean that the weather should be getting cooler and before long it would be winter which only means one thing to a husky... SNOW!!!!!! The weather had started to get cooler, but then it suddenly turned warmer again. My Dad said that its called Indian Summer. But, I did my own research and found out that Dad is wrong. It couldn't have been Indian Summer yet, because we haven't had a frost. None the less, I am hoping that the cooler weather is here to stay and that it will soon be winter. I am ready for snow after a long hot summer.

Tribute to Yukon Jack: Biped Tissue Alert

This post is a tribute to Yukon Jack and the amazing person who helped him be saved and to MaPaw SHR, who helped him to survive another 8 months in rescue. Sadly, Yukon Jack went to join his friends at the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, September 27, 2007.

Yukon Jack had quite an amazing story. A good samaritan walking along the Perkiomen creek in Pennsylvania heard a dog barking along the creek/river where no dog should be. Upon investigation, he saw Jack who had fallen down the steep side onto the ice and was trapped. By the time the man reached him he had collapsed and could not stand. Jack was taken to the SPCA to recover, in case someone was looking for him, but no one came forward during the "owner claim" time period, so MaPaw took him in. This quote from a MaPaw volunteer, "So when we think of the people we want to strangle over their treatment of dogs, just remember the good samaritan who climbed into the ravine to save a dieing dog".

The following poem is very touching and we believe a very fitting tribute:



The Bridge



Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and
gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be
imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to
think, as they had never experienced a day like this
before. But the animals who had been waiting for their
beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started
to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.



It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head
hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who
had been there for awhile, knew what his story was right
away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He
approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but
with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other
animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been
restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As
he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other
animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and
the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But
, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by
the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that
he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were
with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no
place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the
fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals
like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing
, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly
staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he
took his place among them, watching the pathway and
waiting.



One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand
what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals
that had been there for a while to explain it to him.



"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to
rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his
fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of
rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to
comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he
had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort
him across The Bridge."



The first animal thought about this for a minute and then
asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to
receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the
gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single
person and among the older animals, a whole group was
suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young
and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.



"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of
animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed
low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person
offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The
newly restored animals fell into line and followed him
towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.



"What happened?"



"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect
were those who found new homes because of his work. They
will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw
restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer
arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of
rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that
they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."



Author Unknown...

Jack lived the remainder of his life in a loving foster home never getting to find his furever home. May Jack wear his silver harness proudly as he goes across the bridge.

Temporary Housemate

My old friend, Hennessy, was adopted by his Mom and Dad in 1998 from a shelter in Alabama. He's a mutt if there ever was a mutt. He's has very short legs, long ears and a long body like a dachshund, but he's got the coloring of a German Shepherd. Hennesy and his sister were feral puppies found wondering along the side of the road. He lived in an apartment in Alabama with his Mom and Dad until 1999. They got married and moved to Pennsylvania. Hennessy and his parents lived with his Mom's family for about a year after that. Eventually, they bought a house of their own in 2000. Meanwhile, I came into rescue at Mapaw and met my Mom and Dad. I met Hennessy when I moved into my fur-ever home in 2001. He only lived three blocks away from me. A couple times a week, I would get to see him. We'd play for hours since we were both young then and full of energy. In 2003, we moved to a new house. It was several miles away from Hennessy, so I didn't get to see him very often, but I did get to see his Mom on a regular basis (by the time we had moved, his Dad had left him and his Mom to move somewhere else). It had been a really long time since I had seen my friend. Last night I got to see him!!! Here's a picture of him at our house last night with me trying to get in on the picture.





Hennessy's Mom and soon-to-be-new Dad came over for dinner last night and they brought my buddy along to play. He sure has gotten old and grey (I'm sure glad that I've aged better than he has). We didn't play as much as we used to, but Hennessy didn't forget how much he loved my Dad. His Mom says that my Dad has always been his favorite person in the world. While they were visiting, I overheard the humans talking about plans for Hennessy's Mom and soon-to-be-new Dad's wedding and honeymoon. When we heard them talking, Hennessy and I got so excited because we heard them say Hennessy will be spending almost two weeks at our house while his parents go to Europe!!! It's going to be sooooo coooool!!! Hennessy's fur-siblings will be staying with other friends and family members. He lives with two other dogs and two cats: Bourbon, a German Shepherd/Lab mix; Drambuie, a pomapoo; and the cats, Chivas and Kahlua (Chivas doesn't like me very much, she always used to hiss at me, I think she was afraid I might eat her).

I'm really looking forward to having such a good friend come stay with my for a short time.

Woo-woo, Kelsey Ann

Has He Lost His Mind ?!?!?

This morning started out just like any other morning. Dad got up first and went for a shower. I got up and wandered around the house woo-wooing to try and get him to hurry up in the shower so he could take me out and feed me. After what seemed like furever, he finally was finished. Mom got up and took her shower while Dad was getting dressed and I continued to woo-woo at him. He finally took me, Sky and the Annoying One outside. Then we got our breakfast (I got my normal 1 cup of Canidae and 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter mixed with pills). Just as I was finished eating, Mom was finished in the throne-room (the humans call it the bedroom because their bed is there, but as far as I'm concerned, its the throne-room because I am the queen) which meant she would be vacating and I would get to go lay on my throne for the rest of the day. Dad got the little biped out of bed, took her to the potty and dressed her. All the humans left, but they forgot to take the Annoying One to his crate!

Dad was gone about 15 minutes and then he returned. Oh, good - he remembered!!! Dad sat down with the paper and his coffee. We were all very confused by this sudden change in routine. After a while, he took the Annoying One downstairs for crate-time. Ahhhh - it seemed to be back to normal. I figured Dad would be getting his coffee and lunch and heading out the door, but instead he brought Sky to the throne-room and closed the door. I just sat there stunned with a look on my face to express:

HAS HE LOST HIS MIND ?!?!?

After twenty minutes or so, he left and we were stuck in this situation. I was so upset by this. Several hours went by, then Dama (Mom's Mom) showed up. She was there a few minutes before some humans who smelled like strangers got to the house. They made a lot of noise for a few minutes. The two strangers left and Dama came back and opened the door to the throne-room. Well, we both had to go investigate the smells. Lo and behold, there was a new piece of furniture in the dining room.

After that, the day progressed like normal for a while. Dad and the little biped came home. Mom got home shortly after. Then Grandma and Pop-pop (Dad's parents) came to visit. Everyone was going out to dinner because it's Pop-pop's birthday. Mom told them the story about what happened with the furniture delivery, so I got to hear first hand what occurred. They apparently were supposed to deliver between 8 and 9 am, but the truck broke down and they were running late. Dad couldn't wait until they would get here several hours later, so he left for work. He had put Sky in the throne-room so that Sky wouldn't be tempted to run out the front door, and that's where he stayed until after the delivery men were gone. So, maybe Dad hasn't lost his mind - although Mom often seems to think so...

Woo-woo, Kelsey Ann

Happy birthday Pop-pop!!

Queen Kelsey = Queen Elizabeth

I'm starting to feel better since my surgery this week. I haven't posted a lot this week, so I wanted to tell you how I've been spending the last several days. Of course, I've been resting a lot on my throne in the bedroom. They've even shut the door to keep the annoying one away from me. I've also been milking this thing for all it's worth. Take today at lunch for instance:

Mom, the little biped, and "Dama" (that's the little biped's word for Grandma) went out shopping for clothing. Dad and "Paw-paw" (Dama's other half), were out in the shed building bigger and better shelves. Paw-paw went to a nearby fast food restaurant and bought hamburgers and french fries for lunch. They brought them inside to eat since the air conditioning was on and it was so hot outside. I, of course, had to get off my throne to go and get french fries. Normally, begging wouldn't get me anywhere, but both Dad and Paw-paw shared with me. I got six whole french fries. It reminds me of my younger days when I was an only dog, and would go places with Mom and Dad. I'd get my own box of fries when they stopped at the fast food places.

The little biped is very worried about "Ke'y booboo," so she's been bringing me treats whenever Mom and Dad will let her. I've had to take several medications this week on top of the ones I already take. Normally, I get three pills a day. I take one pill, twice a day, for my spay incontinence (to prevent leaking); and another, once a day, for discomfort from arthritis and old age. Well, now I'm taking another pain pill once a day and an antibiotic twice a day. More pills means more peanut butter!!! Woooooooo!!!! I suppose you could say that I've been enjoying myself as much as possible this week except for the discomfort and the stupid lampshade.

Some humans call this an Elizabethan Collar or E-collar. It was named this after the ruffles on the dresses that Queen Elizabeth I wore.

She used to be the Queen of England, a long time ago. England is a country that is far away across "The Pond" (that's what the English call the Atlantic Ocean). Anyhusky up for a swim? I suppose that I'm getting to wear this thing since I'm a queen too so I shouldn't complain too much, but I wouldn't be Queen Kelsey if I didn't complain some - so here it is.

I tried to eat with it on when I had surgery a year or so ago, but it got in the way. I can't go up stairs with it on because the bottom of it gets caught on the stairs. So because of this, I get to take it off when I eat and when I go out. Twice this week, I got stuck in the room with the big, white, porcelain water bowl. In the middle of the night, I got thirsty, so I went there to get a drink. I must have been a little confused in the dark on Tuesday night and I wondered into the closet and couldn't get out. Dad came in when he got up in the morning for his shower and rescued me. The next night, I went in again and when I tried to leave, it got caught on the door and pushed the door shut. So, there I was stuck in that room until Mom got up in the morning and let me out. I had to wait especially late on Thursday morning because both Mom and Dad had the day off. Both mornings I was as mad as a hornet.

Well, enough complaining for now. More later - it's what I do best!

WooWoo, Kelsey Ann

Good vibes needed

A few weeks back I posted that I needed to go in and have lump removed. Well, tomorrow is the big day. Dad is going to drop me off with Dr. Horst in the morning and I should be good to come home at the end of the day. Please cross your paws for me that everything goes ok and that this is just one of those pesky old age bumps.

Enjoy this picture of Sky and I being best buds!

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann