Goodbye My Sweet Ralphie

                                       Ralphie August 4, 2012 - December 19, 2023

This has to be the saddest post of this blog. My LAST blog post. My Ralphie left me this past week. My life is so empty now. The past 6 months he had struggles with his health and was diagnosed with leukemia. I tried to keep him with me as long I could, but his health was declining rapidly near the end and I had to make the hardest decision ever to put him asleep over the rainbow bridge. 

Ralphie was truly my very best friend. He was the kindest dog to everyone...to me, kids and other animals.  My world was pretty much me and him. My days were filled with Ralphie. We've been through ups and downs together the past 11 years. But he loved me unconditionally no matter what. I can write so much more but I can't control my tears right now. 

Ralphie, you will never be forgotten. You were my everything. My heart is so broken. 💔😢

HAPPY, HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY RALPHIE!!!!!

 HaPpY BiRtHdAy RALPHIE!!!

Today is Ralphie's 11th birthday!! It's been 11 wonderful years with him. I feel so blessed to have the best soulmate ever...my one and only.  I'm happy to say that Ralphie is quite healthy and still has some spunk in him. We enjoy our walks everyday. We walk about 3-5 miles a day depending on the weather. During the super-duper hot months in FL, we walk early in the morning before sunrise but we always get a walk or two in each day. 

Today Ralphie celebrates his 11th birthday with his BFF, Bubba (my daughter's pug)...2 old guys sleeping the day away. LOL He got a new pull toy, some hooves, and birthday doggie cookies. 

LOVE.

Happy 9th Birthday Ralphie!!!

Wow, I've neglected this blog for quite some time! Shame on me.  Sadly every day life gets in the way.  Little things in life are just as important as the big things.  Yes, it has taken me many, many years plus retirement to realize this.  Anyways, both Ralphie and I are retired now, living our senior years together.

Happy Birthday Ralphie!!!  Ralphie is 9 years old today which it 66 years old in human years.  So we're pretty close in age now and we're enjoying our retirement!  Ralphie is a big part of my life, he's family.  He's given me 9 happy years, he's so loyal and loving.  I can't even imagine life without him.  I love every lump and bump on his aging body and his sweet white sugar face.  And he loves me unconditionally, wrinkles and all.  LOL

Happy Birthday Sweet Handsome Boy!  You ARE the BEST!!!  I'm looking forward to our retirement years with many walks, snuggles, hugs, and kisses.  

Ralphie - 6 weeks old the day he was chosen to be my forever friend.

8 weeks old - The day he came home with me. 

LOVE!

Today - Happy Birthday Ralphie!

My 9 year old Big Boy!

Love this handsome sugar face boy!!

Coping With A Pet's Death

It's been about six weeks since Lucy left me and Ralphie.  Ralphie has adapted pretty well, but I feel he detached from Lucy when she fell sick.  But me ... not so much.

I was told by a friend that during the coping time of a pet's death, you may have bursts of tears with sadness.  That's exactly what is happening. These bursts can just come out of nowhere.  My friend was so right.  It's been a very difficult time for me.  Sometimes just the thought of Lucy, whether I'm thinking of all our good times or thoughts of her being sick, I just burst into tears uncontrollably.  So many times I feel guilty I didn't do more for her.  Her life was way too short.  I keep thinking of the look in her eyes when she was dying.  Looking at me so helpless. Me, so helpless...I couldn't keep her alive.  So devastating.

I pray every day that I become stronger and my broken heart heals.

Goodbye Sweet Lucy

My heart is broken my little girl Lucy passed away at home with me by her side last week.  Lucy struggled with health problems over the past 5 months.  She was in and out of the vet office, saw three different doctors and obviously misdiagnosed with vestibular disease.  I always had a feeling it was more than that.

The past 5 months I would hold Lucy in my lap like a baby and cuddle her each evening while watching TV.  Thursday, February 7th was not any different.  I walked Lucy around 6pm, after her walk I tried to feed her and she wouldn't eat.  So I gave her a peanut butter sandwich along with her pills and she gobbled it down.  I was happy to see her eat.  Then she jumped on my lap as usual and I held her, running my hand up and down her back, played with her ears, and just snuggled.  She began  panting, which scared me.  I continued to hold he and thought maybe she needed to go potty outside.  She went outside and did her business.  I brought her back in and she jumped on the opposite sofa from me.  She sat there for a couple of minutes and suddenly jumped off that couch and ran to the hallway.  I think she was trying to get to her crate, but didn't make it.  She collapsed in the hallway.  I was freaking out and called my daughter.  I thought she was having a seizure.  I was petting her, trying to move her to get her out of the "seizure".  But she passed away within a minute.  I'm balling my eyes out to my daughter..."MY LUCY IS DEAD, MY LUCY DIED"!  It was about 9:30pm and had no idea what to do with Lucy.  I draped her favorite blanket over her with one paw not covered.  I had to leave her one paw out in the open just to see her.  My daughter called the wonderful people at Honor Thy Pet in Tampa to make arrangements to have Lucy picked up.  They came around 11:30pm.  Ralphie sat next to me like a statue as they carried her out of the house.  I had Lucy cremated to be with me forever.  She will be on my shelf next to Ollie.

As I write this, I am crying and crying.  I'm having the hardest time with this.  Lucy would have been 4 years old next week on 2/21.  She was way too young to leave so soon.

Ralphie is okay.  I feel he disconnected from Lucy when she became sick.  But each morning he peeks in the room where Lucy's crate was.  He seems to be more giving me extra attention and always by my side.  I'm sure he senses my sadness.   Love.

Goodbye My Sweet Lucy.

Vizlsa - Vestibular Disease - Week 6

Today is the last day of week 6 of Lucy's vestibular disease, or is it really vestibular disease??  I'm not so sure anymore...perhaps a stroke??

I didn't see much change in Lucy this week.  Still with the tilted head and bewildered.  She's still leaking, more so at night.  Lucy was diagnosed with a UTI and more meds were given to her.  She's on Cefpodoxime Proxetil 200mg, one pill a day.  It seems like giving the pills smothered in peanut butter is the easiest way.  I've been giving her Dramamine on her real dizzy days.  Her energy level is low, probably from all the meds.  She's eating good and still drinking a lot of water, but I'm limiting the amount.  I bought some doggie diapers in hopes to save time on laundry.  I just use them at night, but they're not working.  Even though I add an additional pad to the diaper, she is soaking through them and leaking from the side of the diaper.  It's a real struggle.

Bewildered...hiding in the closet.

My poor baby girl. 😢😢😢

Sporting her doggie diapers.

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 5

Today ends week 5 of Lucy's vestibular disease battle.  Really no changes.  She still has the tilted head, vertigo, and little bladder control.

I took both Lucy and Ralphie to the vet yesterday.  What a fiasco... taking both dogs at the same time!  I made the appointment during their slow time, but it was a struggle handling both dogs myself.  Ralphie just needed his heart worm test and Heartguard.  Lucy had her follow-up check-up, UTI screening, and heart worm test.  The doctor is speculating she may have a UTI because of her lack of bladder control.  I'll get the results next week.  But in the meantime, she gave Lucy antibiotics, Clavamox 375mg, take twice a day for 7 days.  Hopefully this will help!  I'll be ordering Lucy some doggie diapers today.  That should help with less laundry.

If Lucy still has the vestibular symptoms in 2 months, the vet recommends tests and more tests.  I really don't think they can do anything if she had a stroke for the after effects.  But we will see.  The vet bills are starting to add up.  🙁

At the vet. You can see Lucy has little control of her head.

Tilted head Lucy. Ralphie was a handful for his doctor's appointment.

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - End of Week 4

Week 4 is coming to an end and I'm beginning to worry a lot.  I thought Lucy would be pretty much recovered by now.  In some ways she is, like she's walking better and not flopping around. She's eating, however being very picky.  Her head is still tilted and many times I see her just standing with a look of bewilderment.  She has no bladder control.  Urine is leaks out of her when she's sleeping.

I'm going to call the vet tomorrow but I know they will want to start costly tests, which I can't afford. I understand this can run into thousands of dollars and being a one income household I just can't afford it.  I'm praying so hard that she recovers.

I'm scared for my Lucy.

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 4

Wow I can't believe a couple of days ago began week 4 of Lucy's struggle with vestibular disease.  She's getting better very slowly but sometimes it seems like she's takes a few steps back.  For example, she wouldn't eat yesterday, but today she's eating.  Her head is still hangs low and tilted.  She's able to walk but still loses her balance.  Still can't jump up on the bed.  Today while outside she was standing outside in a daze, tail tucked low, and had a difficult time moving.  It looked like she was having dizzy spell.  I gave her a couple of dramamine and it seemed to help.  She still doesn't have full control of her bladder, but that's getting better too.  She took her last prednisone pill yesterday, so her peeing should be tapering off soon.  On the positive side, Lucy has a lot of energy, eating pretty well, and walking better.  Time and love will heal her to 100%.

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 3

Yesterday was Sunday, September 23rd beginning the third week of Lucy's vestibular disease.  It was not a good day.  I went out for a few hours yesterday with my daughter.  I came home and found Lucy in Ralphie's crate.  I knew something big is wrong.  Why is Lucy in Ralphie's crate??  I walk in the living to see my heavy floor lamp on the floor shattered.  The ceramic lamp was crushed along with the all broken glass involved.

I lifted the lamp upright, but it was on the
floor with the shattered glass.

Thankfully Lucy wasn't hurt but she was all shook up, very frightened.  It seemed like she regressed yesterday,  back to square one.  She was flopping around everywhere.  Very scared.

I decided to work from home today to watch Lucy after her horrible day yesterday.  She seemed better today.  Still doesn't have her balance, still with a tilted head.  But it was good to be with her all day to keep an eye on her.  She slept most of the day.  

It's a challenge to work from home without all my office things.  At the office I work with three computer monitors and at home I only have my laptop, which makes a few tasks difficult to do.  Plus I don't have all my daily information on hand at home.  But I'll work at home when I absolutely need to...and Lucy is a perfectly good reason.  However, I definitely feel micro-managed at home.  Eyes are on me all day long.  See for yourself in the picture below...LOL

Ralphie...the
micro-manager!

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 2

Sunday, September 16, 2018
Today begins the second week of Lucy's battle with vestibular disease.  I'm seeing progress but oh so long way to go.  She fell out of my bed this morning landing on her back.  She just jump up clumsily, very startled.  Still very dizzy, disoriented and no control of her head.  She took a short walk around the block this morning and POOPED!  Yay!!  It's been a week since she had a bowel movement.  The pumpkin in her food must have really worked.  We're taking one day at a time...soon Lucy will be good as new!

Today is Saturday, September 22nd which ends the second week of Lucy's vestibular disease journey.  Lucy is still taking the prednisone every other day.  It's making her really thirsty and she's peeing a lot.  I feel bad for her because the urine just leaks out or she can't hold it in.  I'm up about four times during the night to take her outside to pee.   I'm using pee pads, covers, and  old towels to protect the sofa cushions and bed.  I've been washing all these coverings every day this past week.  Tons of work!

Lucy is doing pretty good otherwise.  She's walking but loses her balance periodically.  Her head is still tilted to the right which hasn't improved.

She lost some weight but she's eating pretty good now.  She still wants me to pamper her and bring the bowl of food to her on the couch and sit next to her while she eats!  I know she can eat from her bowl on the floor because she drinks her water that way, but she still needs that special attention until she's 100 percent.  I'll do whatever it takes so she eats.

There is something to be said nurturing a helpless animal back to heath.  I feel closer to Lucy than I ever did before.  I think she feels the same.  I just LOVE her so much!

Vizsla - Vestibular Disease - Week 1

Sunday Afternoon - September 9, 2018
I had a fun day today with my daughter and grand baby.  We went shopping and had lunch.  My daughter dropped me off at my house around 5pm.  I discovered that Lucy threw up on the rug.  I thought it was from the grass that she may have eaten.  She went outside and did her business, came back in the house and threw up again.  She didn't eat that evening and threw up some phlegm a little later.

Monday - September 10, 2018
I went to work today figuring Lucy had just an upset stomach and she'll be fine.  She did not eat her breakfast, but she did go on our morning walk and seemed okay.  She walked in a normal way and was in good spirits.
I came home from work anticipating if Lucy ate the food that I left out for her.  Ralphie came rushing to the door to greet me in his normal way.  As usual, Lucy didn't greet me at the door but darts out of my bedroom to the back door to go outside.  And that she did but she was flopping all over the place, she couldn't stand, her head was hanging in a tilted way.
I called my daughter frantically to tell her Lucy's condition.  How can this happen to my 3 year old baby girl!  I rushed her to the vet.  I had to carry her to the car ... 50 pounds of dead weight...ugh.  The doctor examined her and was pretty confident she has vestibular disease by her symptoms.  The doctor recommended to treat her for vestibular disease with medication and see how she feels in a week.  I was given dramamine to help her dizziness, ear drops for an infection, antibiotics, and prednisone.  Poor Lucy is really, really sick.

Tuesday - September 11, 2018
I worked from home today to nurse Lucy through the day.  Her condition is extremely bad.  She's not eating or drinking water.   It's difficult to give her the pills.  I actually have to stick the pills down her throat with my finger.  She can't walk.  She just sleeps on the couch.  It's been a stressful, sad day.  My once active, persnickety Lucy is totally helpless.

Wednesday - September 12, 2018
I went to work today but had a camera on Lucy all day to watch her while at work.  She didn't move from the couch.  She did not eat today...she hasn't eaten since Sunday morning.  I'm really worried.  I don't see any improvement.  I called the vet, left a message for the doctor.  I didn't get a return call.  I decided to start feeding Lucy baby food through a syringe just to get some kind of nutrition in her.

Thursday - September 13, 2018
I took today off but I had to go with my daughter to her doctor's appointment.  The vet called me.  I told the doctor I'm really worried that Lucy hasn't improves and still not eating.  She prescribed Diazepam which should help her with the vertigo and increase her appetite.  I gave her a half pill and it seems to be working.  Yay!!!

Friday - September 14, 2018
Lucy lost some weight.  Her harness is so loose.  I use it to take her outside so she doesn't fall in the pool.  She's still flopping all around, very dizzy with a severe head tilt.  But she is eating...yay!!

Saturday - September 15, 2018
I can see Lucy is improving.  She's still not eating her normal kibble, but she is eating wet dog food and gobbling up human food that she loves.  She is still unstable but able to get around by herself with a flop here and there.  She can jump up on the couch but not my bed yet.  I still can't trust her loose in the backyard because of the pool.  She actually took a short walk around the block today. I was hoping she would poop on our walk...she hasn't pooped since Sunday morning...that's a whole week!  I gave her some pumpkin in her food today, hoping that'll get her to move.

This past week has been a rough week for Lucy and for me!  My arms are bruised and pulled my back out from lifting her and carrying her outside.  It's been so hard. When I lift her she's all over the place, kicking legs, legs up in the air, head hanging down.  I can't even explain how difficult it's been for me.  She's so helpless and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back to herself.  LOVE.

We Are Family

I love my Ralphie and Lucy so much but why oh why do they follow me everywhere...LOL  If I'm  relaxing on the sofa and they're snoozing...I get up, they get up and follow me to the kitchen, the bedroom, anywhere in the house.  They even follow me to the bathroom and shower...geesh no privacy.  LOL  There's nothing like your pooch sitting in the bathroom, staring as you're soaking and relaxing in a nice hot bath.  LOL  

My inquiring mind turned to Google to figure out this behavior.   I learned because dogs are pack animals, it's their instinct to do everything with their family.  Ralphie and Lucy look at me as a part of their family.  They love me so much and want to make sure we do everything together.  So sweet.

They are the best.   Ralphie and Lucy...follow me anywhere you want, anytime.  I love the both of you as much as you love me.  

In the bathroom.

In the shower.

Vizsla "Pet Me"

Whether you have a Vizsla already or thinking about getting one, we've either experienced or you will experience a demanding pup wanting more and more attention.  I'm not sure if any other breed is like the Vizsla...but I know for sure my Yorkie was not this persistent.  Check out my short video ... this is every day, every single day ... Every. Single. Day.

Happy 5th Birthday Ralphie!

August 4th was Ralphie's 5th birthday!  Of course we had a little birthday celebration with extra treats and a nice big bone.  Honestly, I've never had a dog quite like Ralphie.  He's the most amazing, loyal, kind, lovable friend.  I love him more and more each day.

At 5 years old Ralphie has become more laid-back, but still has spunk when he wants to.  His passion is chasing lizards and squirrels.  He really doesn't run and run like a crazy dog anymore.  He's a little more settled now.  I just love hugging him...he just sits there and takes it all in.  I've never been so close to a dog before until Ralphie came into my life.  He's really special.

Happy Birthday Big Boy.  I'm so looking forward to spending many, many more birthdays with you!
Love.

My handsome boy!

Happy Birthday #5!!!!!

Vizsla and New Baby

Gosh I haven't posted a blog in a long time.  A lot of things happening in life.  But the biggest change in my life is I became a Gigi!  Yes, a first-time grandma!  My daughter and her husband had a sweet baby girl.

I have to confess during my daughter's pregnancy I wondered, or let's say concerned how Ralphie and Lucy will act with baby Peyton's arrival.  Ralphie is pretty laid back so I wasn't too worried about him...but Lucy...my persnickety Lucy.  She's never been snarly with humans as she is with dogs.  But who knows if she may think Peyton is a 7 pound puppy.  Lucy does not like puppies.  So throughout the 9 months I kept thinking, more like worrying about Lucy's reaction to the baby.  Prior to Peyton's arrival I already had a plan... if Lucy can't accept Peyton, then my son will need to take her.  That would be the last alternative.  I would hate to separate Ralphie and Lucy.  They love each other.

Baby Peyton arrived!  Peyton's first visit to Gigi's home went well!!  Both Ralphie and Lucy were very curious but pretty much stayed their distance.  It is amazing how they knew that little baby was not a puppy or animal.  Lucy wasn't snarly, she was a lady and naturally knew her boundaries.  However, I always remember my mom's words of wisdom..."No matter how good your dog is, never trust a dog with a baby/child."

Ralphie & Lucy's Evening

Gosh, I haven't blogged about my two fur babies in a long time.  I sure can tell you they do keep me busy.  Vizslas are not for a couch potato human.  Sometimes I'm so exhausted after a day's work and while driving home I'm thinking how am I going to find the energy to play and walk Ralphie and Lucy.  They need more than around the block walk, 3 or more miles each day.  But I do it.  They look forward to their walk after playing, running and swimming in the backyard.  Deep down I know it's healthy for me too.  Thanks Ralphie and Lucy for getting me out there.

Today on our walk, right in my neighborhood, a guy stops his pickup truck and yells out, "What kind of dogs are those?"  "I always see you walking them and they are just so beautiful." "Do you breed them?"  I love the uniqueness of a Vizsla.  They are real head-turners.  And it almost seems like it's always a guy in a pickup truck in aww over their beauty.  LOL

We come home after our walk, then another jaunt in the backyard and in the house for their evening treat.  Their treat can be a rib bone or a frozen loaded peanut butter bong.  Tonight it's the bong.

Then cuddle time.

Ralphie & Lucy ... enjoying their evening treat.

Lucy...say cheese. Love that face.

Happy #2 Birthday To Lucy

This past week we celebrated Lucy's 2nd birthday on February 21st.  She's been quite a special pup.  I knew she was meant for me the way I accidentally found her on craigslist and she's born on my favorite lucky number, 21.  She went from a place where they couldn't love her to a home where she's the love of my life.  She's a very quirky girl, unpredictable with other dogs, but loves her humans and loves her Ralphie.  She's such a tease too.  Her new thing now is to snag my slipper knowing she's not supposed to have it, but just sits there with it in her mouth, staring at me. "Haha look what I have."  She makes me laugh everyday.  She's very animated, having the most adorable expressions.  I couldn't be so lucky to have this crazy little girl in my life.  Happy Birthday Sweet Lucy.  Love you so much!

The little tease.

That look.

A Real Beauty.

We're Back....

Gosh, I haven't been here in quite some time.  Life, life, life how busy we get!  As busy as I am there is no doubt my Ralphie and Lucy are the biggest part of my life.

Just a few updates on what's happening with my big boy and little girl...Ralphie is now 4 1/2 years old and Lucy is almost 2 years old...

Good news, Ralphie's weight is where it should be at.  He was peaking at 70 pounds and he's now 62.5.  I'm still feeding him pretty much the same (Taste of the Wild) but our long daily walks probably really helped.  He seems so much more active now.

Lucy is not liking dogs more and more these days.  I only take them to the less active dog park in the neighborhood.  If there are dogs in the park, we walk the hiking path until the other dogs leave.  I actually like it better this way.  Dog parks were stressing me out, not only the unpredictable dogs but some of the owners were scary.  LOL

Ralphie and Lucy have been picking up each other's habits.  Ralphie has been copying my vocal Lucy.  Yes, Ralphie at times can get a bit noisy like his sister.   Ralphie also picked up Lucy's bad habit of jumping up on me with excitement.  And Lucy picked up Ralphie's bad habit of eating twigs.  Lucy has full reign of the house now...no more crate.  She's learned Ralphie's good behavior which gained her more freedom.  However I do catch her in her crate now and then.  Their crates are their safety haven.  But gosh they do love each other bunches.

I feel so lucky to have Ralphie and Lucy.  They make my life complete.  Everything about them makes me happy, makes me smile, makes me laugh.  Simply said...Unconditional Love.

Time Change

So it's been a couple weeks since turning our clocks back an hour.  Sadly Ralphie and Lucy don't get it.  Their normal wakeup time is 5am, now for them.....4am or if I'm lucky 4:30am.  It's killing me. That hour makes a big difference.

Instead of popping out of bed and get ready for our morning walk I've changed our morning ritual.  They are still pouncing on me at 4am and I still need to get up, but I let them out in the fenced backyard and I crawl back into bed.  They don't like it ... of course, they want me outside with them.  So 5 minutes later after they do their duty, I hear scratch, scratch on the glass door.  Yep, I have to get up again to let them in.  They come in the house all frisky and frantic ready for their walk.  I crawl back into bed, they hop in the bed, I curl up in the opposite direction of them, and they start wrestling on top of me until I get up.  Needless to say I've been very tired with this time change.  They haven't adapted to it yet and who knows if they will.  In the meantime, I will adapt.  -yawn-