Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

Cindy, thank you so much for letting us know how John's surgery went. I hope that everyday he gets stronger and stronger. What a horribly long day this has been for all of you. And, talk about involved surgeries.

You must be exhausted, thank goodness Wex knows he can count on you to be there for him.

Please give John a HUGE kiss from me and Brenny and tell him we're wishing him a very speedy recovery.

Get some rest and please keep us informed as to how he's doing!

Cindy,

Thanks for the update on John. Wish him well from us and you & Wex get some rest.

Cindy, thanks for taking the time to update all of us regarding John. My prayers are with you both. Give Wex a kiss from his "aunt sunshine". Cooler and Mackey would give Wexie some love if we were closer.

I hope today finds Cindy a bit more rested; Wexy calm and missing his man; and, most importantly, John getting stronger and better every day!

I'm sending my most positive and loving best wishes to all of you!

Have a good weekend!

Wow, been a long time since I have visited these boards. I just booked 15 day Panama Cruise Sept 26 leaving San Francisco. This will be the first cruise since my brain injury that we will be leaving Bailey home. I have continued to recover and think we are ready to try it. For the last six months , Bailey and I have been trying to do more without each other. An adjustment for both of us!

Just thought I would pop in, fun to see many of the same people.

Wow, been a long time since I have visited these boards. I just booked 15 day Panama Cruise Sept 26 leaving San Francisco. This will be the first cruise since my brain injury that we will be leaving Bailey home. I have continued to recover and think we are ready to try it. For the last six months , Bailey and I have been trying to do more without each other. An adjustment for both of us!

Just thought I would pop in, fun to see many of the same people.

Darcie it's great to hear from you again. Lucky you to be planning a 15 day Panama Cruise. I don't have my calendar in front of me but I wonder if we'll be in San Francisco at the same time you'll be disembarking on yours just as we'll be pulling in [i think.] If so, look for Brenda and me.

Darcie, I don't remember, is Bailey your Service Dog? And, if so, why are you trying to do more without her? Please refresh my memory.

Roz

I just want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Today they are trying to kick John out. He cannot eat anything because of problems with the tube they put down his throat during surgery. Needless to say, he isn't happy they are trying to make him leave. He feels he should not go anywhere til he can atleast eat something. When he does leave, he is going to to a rehab hospital cuz he doesn't think I can handle taking care of him yet. Otherwise he is doing great, he can move his neck and doesn't have as much pain. I'll keep you updated.

Cindy

Mornin' all:

Cindy: What next? Yeah, just kick him out, eventually he will be able to eat. I have heard about the throat being literally torn up when they "force" that tube down it. I guess some people are insensitive to others. Since he was out and couldn't complain, just keep pushing. Anyway, I am glad his neck is better. I would think it would have to be not having an extra bone in it. I bet Wexy was glad to see his daddy. I can see the whole back in wagging, along with the tail action. Take care of yourself, Cindy. It sounds like it is starting to get better.

I just want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Today they are trying to kick John out. He cannot eat anything because of problems with the tube they put down his throat during surgery. Needless to say, he isn't happy they are trying to make him leave. He feels he should not go anywhere til he can atleast eat something. When he does leave, he is going to to a rehab hospital cuz he doesn't think I can handle taking care of him yet. Otherwise he is doing great, he can move his neck and doesn't have as much pain. I'll keep you updated.

 

Cindy

Great news, Cindy.......He's very stubborn, it's probably exactly what has gotten him through all of this from the beginning. There's not much Wex can do for him, yet. Thank goodness they both have you to turn to.

Remember to take care of YOU just as you take care of John and Wexy.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

Well John is in rehab now. It's right down the street so it's perfect for me. Wex and I just got home (7:00) and he's already pooped out. No one can sleep there cuz someone comes into the room every 5 minutes!! Finally about 2:00 I went to the nurse and told her I'm closing the door and to leave John alone for an hour. He is really having trouble with his throat and has barely eaten anything. They might do some kind of throat xray tomorrow where they put barium in food, have him eat and then take an xray to watch the food go down. Sounds gross to me!! With all the bad news, there is some good news...he's starting to get back the feeling in his hands that he lost!!!! :D WooooooHooooooo!!!!!!!! It's been another long day so I'm going to get some supper and just veg out.

Cindy

Oh and John had Wex jump on the bed and Wex just loved it. He actually layed on Johns stomach and was so content. It was so sweet.

Well John is in rehab now. It's right down the street so it's perfect for me. Wex and I just got home (7:00) and he's already pooped out. No one can sleep there cuz someone comes into the room every 5 minutes!! Finally about 2:00 I went to the nurse and told her I'm closing the door and to leave John alone for an hour. He is really having trouble with his throat and has barely eaten anything. They might do some kind of throat xray tomorrow where they put barium in food, have him eat and then take an xray to watch the food go down. Sounds gross to me!! With all the bad news, there is some good news...he's starting to get back the feeling in his hands that he lost!!!! :D WooooooHooooooo!!!!!!!! It's been another long day so I'm going to get some supper and just veg out.

 

Cindy

 

 

Oh and John had Wex jump on the bed and Wex just loved it. He actually layed on Johns stomach and was so content. It was so sweet.

Cindy, please give John our very best wishes and I will say an extra prayer for him and his recovery. It sounds like he has some good out of it all.

Just thinking of Wex laying on John's stomach brought tears to my eyes. So sweet!

Take care, and thanks for the update.

Hey guys, been a while since I have been on. Have had issues with my legs; my daughter came by to provide support for her daddy also. Well today Julie suggested we go to the river, while I am paying for it right now in my legs it was so much fun to see Blitz be able to play with Dia. Here is a small video from today, the man in the video is Graham who is my daughters boyfriend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cIKvK6JOkE

Enjoy...

I love to watch a dog enjoying the water......Brenda loves it too. It's really hard to get her back, she could swim forever!!!!

We had Ollie out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay on the 4th. We anchored the boat near a small beach. We got Ollie into the dingey and pulled him to shore to do his business. My husband had him swim a little. He never did it before. He was OK until he couldn't reach the bottom so he was led back to the beach, back onto the little boat, then back to the big boat.

In other news, we had him to the internal medicine specialist today. We are waiting for them to call back with a timeline (the internal med vet wanted to coordinate with the surgeon so he'd only have to go under once), but he will have a colonoscopy done, x rays, and an ultrasound done and then if necessary, a more extensive surgery to remove anything that might have spread. Can you say ch-ching?

The vet didn't feel any masses so that's good. And the 15% discount they are offering is nice too.

I'll keep you posted.

So first: a big shout out to those big handsome german shepherds who have a special place in our hearts...Ollie...best wishes...I love your stories about the dreaded shoe covers while visiting disney world...and Blitz...could you be anymore macho and good looking...

Cindy and John..OK, feeling coming back,,so much more than what we take for granted every day...I am in tears...Wex...kisses for you as you take care of your people...Cindy and John..you know you have my prayers, my kisses and all of my best imaging.....but seriously...feeling coming back....I have chills

We had Ollie out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay on the 4th. We anchored the boat near a small beach. We got Ollie into the dingey and pulled him to shore to do his business. My husband had him swim a little. He never did it before. He was OK until he couldn't reach the bottom so he was led back to the beach, back onto the little boat, then back to the big boat.

 

In other news, we had him to the internal medicine specialist today. We are waiting for them to call back with a timeline (the internal med vet wanted to coordinate with the surgeon so he'd only have to go under once), but he will have a colonoscopy done, x rays, and an ultrasound done and then if necessary, a more extensive surgery to remove anything that might have spread. Can you say ch-ching?

 

The vet didn't feel any masses so that's good. And the 15% discount they are offering is nice too.

 

I'll keep you posted.

I'm so glad that you're keeping us posted on Ollie's health issues. I'm so concerned for him and I hope that he comes through all of his procedures well and that it's not too difficult for him.

Not only does it worry us to death but it costs so much money for our furbabies to go through these sort of health issues. The 15% discount will help. If you're a member of IAADP you may be eligible for other medical discounts as well.

I hope he's not in pain and with all your love and care he should do very well.

Please give him a big kiss from Brenny and me.

So first: a big shout out to those big handsome german shepherds who have a special place in our hearts...Ollie...best wishes...I love your stories about the dreaded shoe covers while visiting disney world...and Blitz...could you be anymore macho and good looking...

 

Cindy and John..OK, feeling coming back,,so much more than what we take for granted every day...I am in tears...Wex...kisses for you as you take care of your people...Cindy and John..you know you have my prayers, my kisses and all of my best imaging.....but seriously...feeling coming back....I have chills

The way you express it, Sunshine, is so perfect. I get goosebumps when I think about John's recovery. And, Ollie's medical issues, although sounding very scary, he has been such a comfort to his person......he deserves to be treated like a king, himself!

Well, I printed my luggage tags and Boarding Pass for my upcoming cruise and I'm doing the "doc-dance" - Remember when they used to send your cruise documents in those wonderful pouches. HAL had the prettiest ones, people used to use them as clutch bags.

I can't wait to be standing on deck when we sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. I have to get up very early......but, it's so worth it.

Who else has an upcoming cruise?

Guitarist, Great pics! Love to see dogs in the water. To bad our 70lb beast jumps over puddles. :eek:

We had Ollie out on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay on the 4th. We anchored the boat near a small beach. We got Ollie into the dingey and pulled him to shore to do his business. My husband had him swim a little. He never did it before. He was OK until he couldn't reach the bottom so he was led back to the beach, back onto the little boat, then back to the big boat.

 

In other news, we had him to the internal medicine specialist today. We are waiting for them to call back with a timeline (the internal med vet wanted to coordinate with the surgeon so he'd only have to go under once), but he will have a colonoscopy done, x rays, and an ultrasound done and then if necessary, a more extensive surgery to remove anything that might have spread. Can you say ch-ching?

 

The vet didn't feel any masses so that's good. And the 15% discount they are offering is nice too.

 

I'll keep you posted.

CJ, What an awful thing you are going through. I'm going to say some extra prayers for your family and of course Ollie.

Cindy

So first: a big shout out to those big handsome german shepherds who have a special place in our hearts...Ollie...best wishes...I love your stories about the dreaded shoe covers while visiting disney world...and Blitz...could you be anymore macho and good looking...

 

Cindy and John..OK, feeling coming back,,so much more than what we take for granted every day...I am in tears...Wex...kisses for you as you take care of your people...Cindy and John..you know you have my prayers, my kisses and all of my best imaging.....but seriously...feeling coming back....I have chills

Any feeling he gets back is a blessing. We are thrilled. He was bummed out when he woke up from the surgery and there was no change. We knew going in that it might not work, but he had to do it to save what he had left. Today he had Wex jump on the bed again. This morning when they got him up in his chair (for the first time) Wex ran over to him, John said "lap" and they were back together again. The kisses were flowing. It was awesome. I was all choked up. We also found out today that the sore mouth and throat is not from the breathing tube but from something called THRUSH. I never heard about it before, but I'm sure you have. For anyone else who doesn't know, it's some kind of yeast infection in your mouth and throat caused by antibiotics. Right Sunshine? So they are treating him for that now and on Wednesday an Eye, Nose, and Throat guy is going to check him out. Tomorrow they will mix barium with food and take xrays. YUCK!!! He ate some today, the most he's eaten so far. Maybe cuz the doctor told him they would have to put some nail like needle in his arm to feed him. :eek: It's to bad that he got this infection cuz his neck feels great, now he will be in rehab longer. :(

Cindy

Well, I printed my luggage tags and Boarding Pass for my upcoming cruise and I'm doing the "doc-dance" - Remember when they used to send your cruise documents in those wonderful pouches. HAL had the prettiest ones, people used to use them as clutch bags.

 

I can't wait to be standing on deck when we sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. I have to get up very early......but, it's so worth it.

 

Who else has an upcoming cruise?

 

Roz, WooooooHooooooo I love the doc dance. And I use my Hal clutch every cruise!! I put all our documents in it. I think I have 2 of them left.

Guitarist, Great pics! Love to see dogs in the water. To bad our 70lb beast jumps over puddles. :eek:

Thank you. I have had those babies who hate water also.