Annabelle Joy didn't get the memo

[Michael Fraase]

Hello everyone,

More than a few years ago -- I don't even remember when, exactly -- Karen and I took a road trip down to Clive, IA to meet Perry and Stacie Mancini and take a gander at their American Eskimo Dog Rescue & Sanctuary. We left with Annabelle Joy, our second Eskie rescue dog. We had always had Siberian Huskies and American Malamutes in the past, so it took us a while to really understand that our Eskies were almost exactly like our Huskies, just in smaller bodies.

When we first brought Annabelle Joy home, she was afraid of almost everything, but it didn't take long at all for her to adjust to her new pack and living in the city. Within a few weeks, if she wasn't the best dog in the world she was in the top two.

Last winter we noticed that it was taking Annabelle Joy much longer than usual to pee and in early March we noticed blood in her urine. We took her to our long-time vet and he figured it was probably a bladder infection and sent us home with an antibiotic (Cephalexin). That didn't work, so we took her back in. Our vet's new partner did an ultrasound while Annabelle Joy was sedated for oral surgery and found what she thought was polyps in Annabelle Joy's bladder and sent us home with a stronger antibiotic (Enrolfloxacin) and a referral to the University of Minnesota's vet school.

On 14 March we took Annabelle Joy to the University where she had a cystoscopy and was diagnosed with cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) of the bladder. We were told this was an especially aggressive cancer and was already widespread. Annabelle Joy was given prescriptions for Piroxicam (an NSAID anti-inflammatory) and Tramadol for pain.

Annabelle Joy clearly didn't get the memo about her having cancer as she's totally asymptomatic two months later.

We gave Annabelle Joy a couple of the Tramadol as she was recovering from the cystoscopy, but none since. I've been giving her the Piroxicam daily. She also gets Phenobarbital twice a day for seizures; like our other Eskie before her, Annabelle Joy has had seizures for as long as we've had her.

My prayers have been for Annabelle Joy's remaining time to be as comfortable, painless, peaceful, and joyful as possible. Apparently she's not ready to cash-in just yet.

Here's a picture of Annabelle Joy on her perch at the top of the second flight of stairs in our townhouse on 4 December 2009.

Here's a picture of Annabelle Joy today on the same perch.

Like I said, she just didn't get the memo.

Here's my concern: Both our own long-time vet and the University vet that treated Annabelle Joy said that some dogs are so loyal they won't let us see they're in pain. So, I'm asking for any advice on being able to tell if she's in pain.

Thanks.

--

Michael Fraase, partner

ARTS & FARCES LLC

mfr...@farces.com

www.farces.com

[Stararune m]

Mike & Karen,

 

Thank you so much for sending photo's of Annabelle Joy!!  We are still convinced that she is Sangha's sister.  When you look at her face in the top photo, you can really see it.  I have attached a photo of Sangha.

 

We are sure sending healing energy Annabelle Joy's way.  She is one strong puppy and sounds like she is proving the doctors wrong.  We hope she continues to thrive with your TLC.

 

Thanks,

Stacie

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Thank You,

Stacie E. Mancini
Co-Founder, American Eskimo Dog Rescue & Sanctuary of Iowa
Moderator, Eskiepeople
www.eskiedog.org

http://groups.google.com/group/eskiepeople/web/terms-of-use-safety-tips

[kcl...@q.com]

Hi Michael,
  I am so sorry to hear about your precious Annabelle. I too have had an eskie die from cancer at 16 and we currently have our 11 yr old that we took to our vet school (with the advice of our vets) and she has a tumor in her liver. So far you can't even tell she is sick other than the insulin shots we have to give her because she doesn't produce it now. that was 3+ months ago. 
  The pain issue is exactly right. My Dr. told me the same thing. I struggled with when it would be the time to let her go.My experience.... My 16 year old Breeze was my heart dog and she was very loyal to me and they do try and hide any pain from you. What I noticed with her was in the end she would go off by herself some which she never did and then she stopped eating. You can tell when you look in their eyes too. Our vet also informed us that often their  taste buds change though before its time so if she doen't want her reg. food try something different. I ended up getting a lot of Costco cooked chicken and removed skin would mix it with a little rice and fed her that a lot, the vet also said maybe cottege cheese,pumpkin, mixed with things, ANYTHING they will eat. ... the bottom line is that you will have a hard time knowing and we also don't want to admit it as we want to hang on to them as long as we can. But when you start to notice a little withdrawing,(they want to protect you) and see the glassy sad look in their eyes you kind of know. Some cancer is NOT painful so be sure and ask if hers is... if not, you just be the judge and follow your heart.... my vet told me there is really no right or wrong choice unless they are in obvious pain.  Its so hard to let them go and to say goodbye. We had to give Breeze pills in a little peanut butter or stuffed in a piece of hot dog worked best. She wouldn't eat pill pockets. My Yukon, I just put them in the back of her throat. For the last couple weeks one day Breeze ate and they next she didn't want much. Then she ate again. Just keep an eye on her.Then one morning she came over laid down right by my feet and snuggled a little as if saying good bye. She then got up went in the other room in a corner and laid down out of my sight. I felt something was wrong and got there just in time to see her take her last breathe. It was so painful for me but she seemed peaceful and got to be at home.
Again, my heart aches for you as it is one of the most painful things in the world to say goodbye to our fur friends who love us unconditionally.  Please give Annabelle Joy a hug from me and just spend as much time as you can spoiling her for as long as you can. Count each day you have with her a blessing. As long as she is eating and appears happy just enjoy it. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Karen, Yukon, Tundra and Lillie

[Michael Fraase]

Hey Stacie,

What a great picture of Sangha. I, too believe they're siblings. But then, I believe Annabelle Joy is also related to our first Eskie, Cotton.

If you and Perry hadn't been so attached to Sangha, we would have taken both of them and it would have been a very long ride home because Karen has said absolutely no more than one dog in the city. When we lived in the country, we always had several; I miss the pack.

Thanks kindly for sending Annabelle Joy your healing energy - you and Perry are the best and you'll never know how much we appreciate all you do for these dogs.

On May 23, 2012, at 1:16 PM, Stararune m wrote:

Mike & Karen,

 

Thank you so much for sending photo's of Annabelle Joy!!  We are still convinced that she is Sangha's sister.  When you look at her face in the top photo, you can really see it.  I have attached a photo of Sangha.

 

We are sure sending healing energy Annabelle Joy's way.  She is one strong puppy and sounds like she is proving the doctors wrong.  We hope she continues to thrive with your TLC.

 

Thanks,

Stacie

[Michael Fraase]

Thanks so much, Karen, for your good thoughts.

Annabelle Joy is, indeed, getting spoiled rotten.

We've always been successful getting her to take pills by embedding them in this Natural Balance Lamb Formula rolls.[1]

We mix a little in with her Science Diet kibble and some veggies and she scarfs it right down.

Annabelle Joy has always been overly sensitive to loud noise -- especially buses and thunderstorms -- and we're finding that she wants to be closer to us than usual but absolutely will not leave the immediate area (one of her best friend-dogs lives two doors down) if there's any noise at all.

http://www.petco.com/product/7133/Natural-Balance-Dog-Food-Rolls-Lamb-Formula.aspx?CoreCat=DogFFB_NatBalance

On May 24, 2012, at 9:36 AM, kcl...@q.com wrote:

Hi Michael,
  I am so sorry to hear about your precious Annabelle. I too have had an eskie die from cancer at 16 and we currently have our 11 yr old that we took to our vet school (with the advice of our vets) and she has a tumor in her liver. So far you can't even tell she is sick other than the insulin shots we have to give her because she doesn't produce it now. that was 3+ months ago. 
  The pain issue is exactly right. My Dr. told me the same thing. I struggled with when it would be the time to let her go.My experience.... My 16 year old Breeze was my heart dog and she was very loyal to me and they do try and hide any pain from you. What I noticed with her was in the end she would go off by herself some which she never did and then she stopped eating. You can tell when you look in their eyes too. Our vet also informed us that often their  taste buds change though before its time so if she doen't want her reg. food try something different. I ended up getting a lot of Costco cooked chicken and removed skin would mix it with a little rice and fed her that a lot, the vet also said maybe cottege cheese,pumpkin, mixed with things, ANYTHING they will eat. ... the bottom line is that you will have a hard time knowing and we also don't want to admit it as we want to hang on to them as long as we can. But when you start to notice a little withdrawing,(they want to protect you) and see the glassy sad look in their eyes you kind of know. Some cancer is NOT painful so be sure and ask if hers is... if not, you just be the judge and follow your heart.... my vet told me there is really no right or wrong choice unless they are in obvious pain.  Its so hard to let them go and to say goodbye. We had to give Breeze pills in a little peanut butter or stuffed in a piece of hot dog worked best. She wouldn't eat pill pockets. My Yukon, I just put them in the back of her throat. For the last couple weeks one day Breeze ate and they next she didn't want much. Then she ate again. Just keep an eye on her.Then one morning she came over laid down right by my feet and snuggled a little as if saying good bye. She then got up went in the other room in a corner and laid down out of my sight. I felt something was wrong and got there just in time to see her take her last breathe. It was so painful for me but she seemed peaceful and got to be at home. 
Again, my heart aches for you as it is one of the most painful things in the world to say goodbye to our fur friends who love us unconditionally.  Please give Annabelle Joy a hug from me and just spend as much time as you can spoiling her for as long as you can. Count each day you have with her a blessing. As long as she is eating and appears happy just enjoy it. My prayers and thoughts are with you. 
Karen, Yukon, Tundra and Lillie

[Clara Rogers]

Believe me, when eJoy is ready to go, she will let you know!  Just keep looking deeply into her beautiful eyes, and she will tell you when it is time!

 

Clara and the fuzz butts-

Noahs Ark American Eskimo Sanctuary,Rescue, and Transport
Clara and Earl Rogers

clara_ro...@yahoo.com
clara...@hotmail.com

From: Stararune m <star...@gmail.com>
To: eskie...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 2:16 PM
Subject: Re: [eskiepeople:19027] Annabelle Joy didn't get the memo

[Stararune m]

"Annabelle Joy has always been overly sensitive to loud noise".

 

That's funny because Sangha is too.  He can't stand any loud noises.  He cringes every time.

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[Cindy Capen]

Karen,
 
You may want to get Milk Thistle (with 80% Silymarin) and put the opened capsule in with food. It is nown as a liver support and I have used it with dogs and on myself.
 
Cindy
 

---

Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 10:36:39 -0400
From: kcl...@q.com
To: eskie...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [eskiepeople:19028] Annabelle Joy didn't get the memo

[kcl...@q.com]

Thanks Cindy,
 Yukon is on Denamarin which is liver support. It has SAMe (S – Adensoylmethionine) and silybin. Which has been proven as an effective tool for protecting the liver. It was given to us by our Vet School which is tops in the NW. I will look into the milk thistle and see if its compatable. It would be good to give all 3 dogs on their food. Thanks for the info. Karen, Yukon, Tundra & Lillie

[Cindy Capen]

You're welcome. You might not need to consider it with what you're already using. My Kaiser is on it for a month as his liver values bloodwork was a hair outside normal range. When Grace was diagnosed with systemic Lymphoma, I went to crockpot cooking and no kibble as I'd read carbs feed cancer. From recent reading, it appears that taking it for a bit, rather than from now on, may be best. Kaiser gets his bloodwork rechecked on Tuesday, so I'll probably ask my vet her thoughts on that. I haven't used Sam-E as yet. The silybin sounds similar to Silymarin, doesn't it?

In Grace's case, she did well for longer than expected, then could not keep food down, though she was hungry and wanted to eat. I hoped to turn back the tide or have a miracle, but my husband and I realized after some rapid weight loss that she was starving and it was time to help her to the Rainbow Bridge. Grace was true to her name and our heart dog. Gee, we miss her, though we appreciate the 3 Eskies currently living with us. It sure will be great to one day be with all the animals who have been a part of our lives, won't it?!

Cindy
Kaiser, Snowball, Stella
and the rabbits Sonny, Peter, Maris and Lukas

---

Date: Sun, 27 May 2012 15:01:18 -0400
From: kcl...@q.com
To: eskie...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [eskiepeople:19034] Annabelle Joy didn't get the memo

Thanks Cindy,
 Yukon is on Denamarin which is liver support. It has SAMe (S – Adensoylmethionine) and silybin. Which has been proven as an effective tool for protecting the liver. It was given to us by our Vet School which is tops in the NW. I will look into the milk thistle and see if its compatable. It would be good to give all 3 dogs on their food. Thanks for the info. Karen, Yukon, Tundra & Lillie
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Capen <cap...@msn.com>
To: eskiepeople <eskie...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, 24 May 2012 13:52:52 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: [eskiepeople:19033] Annabelle Joy didn't get the memo

Karen,


 


You may want to get Milk Thistle (with 80% Silymarin) and put the opened capsule in with food. It is known as a liver support and I have used it with dogs and on myself.