I Love Dogs

First off, I Love Dogs. Have had dogs all of my life. They make me happy and reduce my stress.

I even used to own Three Dog Bakery in Seattle. It was a Bakery just for Dogs. I did that with my wife Bonnie for 10 years until we sold it in 2006. We miss the dogs that would come in and shop with us. Miss some of the people also, but mostly the dogs.

We have 3 dogs now:

Mocha 14 1/2 year old Chocolate Lab. Fantastic Dog. She likes to sit on my lap even though she weight 65 pounds. She has slowed down and has put up a good fight against cancer. She is my Brown Bomber.

DASH is 4 years old and a Seal Italian Greyhound. He is wild, fast and likes to cause trouble. He thinks he is such a tuff guy, but he isn't. He loves to lay on his back and look at you while you rub his belly. He is, how can I say this politely? um, FAT. He needs to lose about 4 pounds, which is about 30% of his total weight. What can I say? He eats like an Italian.

Lyra is my little girl. She makes my heart melt. Her big brown doe eyes. She is a 6 year old Red Italian Greyhound. Her favorite thing is chicken. Licking me all over when ever she sees me is a close 2nd. Even if I have just been at my desk and she has been by the fireplace. When I come over to her she goes crazy loven on me.

A week ago I went to tuck Lyra to bed. When I went to pick her up she started to cry in pain. Lyra NEVER cries when she is in pain. EVER. Torn ACL -- not a sound. Step on her tail -- not a sound. So, when she cried I knew something was very wrong.

I took her to the ER Vet in Lynnwood WA the next morning. They did a full exam and also a neurology exam. Took some x-rays. They thought she just had a pulled muscle. I didn't buy that, but I am not a vet, so. Took Lyra home with her meds and started bed rest.

She didn't improve.

Back to the ER Vet. Now they said that she likely has something wrong with her back. They want to do an MRI to see just what is going on. We can't get it scheduled until Wednesday morning, so more pain meds and bed rest at home.

She got worse. She would not walk or stand. She cried in pain. It broke my heart to see her hurting so much.

Back to the ER Vet today. They decided to admit her overnight, pump her full of fluids and do an IV drip with stronger pain meds. Then first thing in the morning she will have her MRI.

From everything that we have heard and learned about what could be causing the pain and immobility it sounds like she has a ruptured disc in her back. The MRI will give us the answer. If it is her disc, then she will have back surgery tomorrow. 3-4 weeks of bed rest and rehab.

I am glad that we live where we have access to this type of medical expertise. Lyra means so much to me I would do what ever it takes to keep her healthy, happy, pain free.

She is my little girl. Please get better soon.