Rory, continued

[wraithfodder]

First, want to thank everybody for your comments in my previous post on Rory. They were very very much appreciated!

Rory's still hanging in there. The prednisone is giving him some extra time, although how long, we simply do not know. Could be days, could be weeks. I let him spend a lot of time outdoors this weekend as the weather was fortunately mild.



He mostly sat around, which is what he normally does, watching birds, squirrels, etc. At first I stuck him under a blanket as it was windy...


and he snoozed for a while, like some patron on the deck of the Titanic (I swear, whenever I see anybody wrapped in fleece blankets I think of soon-to-be-sinking ships). He stayed like that for a while but then decided, blech, too warm. He likes the cold. Always has. In the winter he would sit on one patch of snow as the rest vanished when spring approached ... his little castle of ice and snow! ;)


He's got a cage outside, and he likes to either sit besides it or in it, like his own little den.
 

And yeah, it might looky squicky to some but seriously, the eye has healed up wonderfully and since we did not opt for the fake eyeball, it sunk in a bit and fur would have grown up and covered it. And since the fur that was shaven during the surgery hasn't grown back entirely, it looks sort of Tim Burton "nightmare before Christmas" ... I've actually gotten very used to it and don't mind it at all. Occasionally he walks/bumps into things as he's still adjusting.

The prednisone has given him a boost - the vet's office told me that when it stops working, we will know. Today I picked up information on cremation. I'd bury him with the rest of the pets, but... I have no idea how long we will stay here, and I do NOT want the coyotes digging him up. The last pet was buried over a decade ago, and the coyote population was tiny at best. Now.... a lot.

And he wanted to play with his ball, so I threw and he fetched it a few times, as well as fetched his stick.

Because he likes to sleep on the cool ground, or floor, I'm opening my window a little at night so the cold air comes in and makes him more comfortable. I think it helps also with the pleural effusion.

So, taking each day at a time.

Comments

[stella-pegasi.livejournal.com]

Rory is a beautiful boy who is so lucky to have a family that loves him. He looks like he enjoyed his weekend and hope you have more to come. Seeing the picture with his ball and you mentioning the stick reminds me of my wonderful girl who has been gone for a long time. Sticks...oh, did she love stick. When my ex and I moved to Naples, FL there were no 'sticks', she started dragging palm fronds around. Then one day, she got a package delivered to her, in her name. A box of sticks. My mom and dad had collected a lot of sticks, and their next door neighbor sawed them into uniform lengths and they were all about the same diameter. They were sent by the "Acme Stick Company", and came with instructions. She was the happiest Flat-coated Retriever in the world.

Tears may fall, as they are now for me thinking about Rory and my beautiful Brittany; but those memories will be with us forever. Here's to more memories for you both.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

No sticks in Florida? What kind of a weird place is that?! ;) Oh, that's so cool, getting sticks in the mail! We have so many sticks you could, well, shake a stick at 'em ;)

It's really amazing how the little furrys get under your skin. They can't speak, but their eyes say volumes.

[stella-pegasi.livejournal.com]

I know, you would think there would be sticks. The house my ex and I bought had been a model home, and it had mostly palm trees and a few pines along the canal. She was big girl, at 95 pounds, and she would drag these huge palm fronds around the yard or play in the sprinklers. But then she got her sticks, so inside the house, she carried tennis balls, outside,sticks!

Yep, these little furry dudes get to us. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[kosmikdawg.livejournal.com]

Such a sweet boy.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[luveskane.livejournal.com]

He is looking very well, not squicked in the least by that one picture. He is such a beautiful boy

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yup, gorgeous dog, and very patient and loving.

[black-raven135.livejournal.com]

Oh bless his heart...........
I love that first shot in particular........
It reminds me of a dog mom had as a young girl. His name was
'Machusla' which is Irish for 'dear one' which was weird
because her family had all come from Switzerland.......
:D

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I was lucky to get it. I swear, everytime I turn on the camera he turns his head and goes "see, no eye!" ;)

[abracah.livejournal.com]

So glad the prednisone is helping. I know it did for our girl. They gave us a month with her and we had her 7 months.

He looks like he is enjoying his days outside. I will pray the weather holds for him.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

They gave us 1-2 weeks, so... if we get that, we'll feel lucky. The thing is the prednisone is good for the cancer, but not the bladder stones.

Even if weather gets cold, that's fine by him, but there's rain in forecast. Fortunately (I hope) it's a holiday weekend so I don't have to work and can spend more time with him.

[syble4.livejournal.com]

He is a beautiful dog and has an amazing human to take care of him!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[casett.livejournal.com]

<3 to you and Rory from me and Dusty!

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[mcsheplovers.livejournal.com]

Such a pretty, sweet boy! He is just gorgeous. He's lucky to have someone taking such good care of him in his time of need. Animals are so beautiful, the way they love unconditionally. I hope that the prednisone continues to keep him comfortable.

[whimsywinx.livejournal.com]

He's a beautiful dog. I'm glad he had such a good weekend.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful dog and I'm glad he has such a wonderful, fun-filled weekend with his best friend, you!

[harriet-spy.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a sweet boy. May you have a peaceful last few days together.

[sgafan.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Hon! Its hard knowing the inevitable is coming (I've been there myself) but you cherish the time you have left and make the best of it. You're doing so well by him and the right things for him.

*hugs* again!

[alyssa22.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful boy. I wish there could be some miracle that would make him 100 percent well again.

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

*biggest hugs every*

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Awww. Such a sweety. *Hugs*

[tinypenny.livejournal.com]

He is lucky to have such a great owner!

[euphoricagony.livejournal.com]

Awww, such a handsome boy! Love him hard while he's with you. I'm sure he loves you hard back. ♥

[mangababe.livejournal.com]

*big hugs*
He's a gorgeous one...reminds me of my Gran's Sheltie. I hope you both enjoy the long weekend.

[sherry57.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful dog. We get so attached to these four legged creatures...I have two little jack russels....they really become part of our family don't they?
I got my dogs a few years ago as I was going through my divorce and it's amazing all the characteristics they have better than my ex....loyalty, always pleased to see me, happy to spend time with me, company, total love from those beautiful eyes....yes, these little creatures give us so much.
Rory has surely given you all of this and more over the years and he too is lucky to have such a caring and loving owner. Courage hon and really really enjoy him over the next little while.
Hugs to you both.

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Rory is such a handsome, sweet boy. I'm so glad that you're having this time and spending it together.
Please do give him an extra cuddle from me and Buddy.
*hugs*

[carmen silva ciocolata (from livejournal.com)]

You're doing a great job, Rory's so lucky to have you around

[flingslass.livejournal.com]

As long as he's happy and comfortable *pats to Rory*

[squonk79.livejournal.com]

Bless him, he's a beautiful dog.

I'm glad you're getting some quality time with him.

[leesa_perrie]

He really is a beautiful dog - even without the eye, he's still gorgeous. I'm glad the medicine is helping, even if it'll only help for a little while, as it gives you more time with him - and time is precious. *hugs*

[star-climber.livejournal.com]

awwww soooo cuteeee!♥♥♥:)

[a-pilgrim-soul.livejournal.com]

I feel for you so much, its so hard going through this. At least the two of you are getting some more time together and he looks so peaceful and content. *hugs*

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

He sounds like a great dog. {{hugs}}

[reedfem.livejournal.com]

What a sweetie. Enjoy the time. I still miss my big Bear.

[cimmerdeux.livejournal.com]

What a sweetie. When I've wrapped up my animals because they're not feeling great or the old guys, I always thing English Dowager or something, but I can see Titanic too. They've always looked very staid and British regardless of whether they're cats or dogs. He looks very happy gnawing on his ball. He's a very lucky guy to have you and of course, vice versa.

[irina-irinova.livejournal.com]

Simply heart-breaking.
I nearly lost my old four-legged-girl this last weekend so I can imagine a fraction of what you're going through.
One day at the time, like you said, and fill them with as much love as you possibly can.

Beauitful

[joaniexjony.livejournal.com]

He is a lovely dog, who has a lovely owner who would do anything for him.

When it is his time to go I know it will be heartbreaking, but at least you will have the comfort of knowing you did the best for him.

My thoughts are with you, and I hope you have each other for a good while yet.

Johan
x

[mechturtle.livejournal.com]

Aw, what a cutie (as he's been in all the pics of him I've seen you post :) ).

Rory

[(Anonymous)]

Bless his heart. You are making his final weeks/months on Earth the best that most dogs could want, catering to his likes and needs. He's so beautiful. You and Rory will be in my thoughts. -Diane

[tabby333.livejournal.com]

Rory is beautiful. It's wonderful to see someone who loves a pet so dearly and is giving him the best time he can have. My heart goes out to you. Enjoy and give him lots of hugs.

[archersangel.livejournal.com]

looks like he's enjoying his time outside.

[dejla.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear this. Never gets any easier to say goodbye to one of them.

[wendyjs.livejournal.com]

So glad that Rory is hangin in there. He is soooo beautiful. When my cats died i had them cremated and we kept a little bit of their ashes to take with us to our retirement home (when we find it).
Hugs
wendy

[0-lily-0.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update on Rory and for sharing all these wonderful pics. Rory is such a sweet dog!