Vera Wag

I have a lot of dogs.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that.

I mostly talk about my Blue or

Maybe about Jimmy Chew and whatever trouble he's got himself into.

I also don't talk about them all because I think it gets confusing and hard for people to keep track of everyone.

That doesn't mean that each and every one of them aren't special to me and hold a piece of my heart.

A sad fact too is that sometimes when they are absolutely perfect they might not get as much attention as the trouble makers.

"Good" dogs don't always make for the funniest of stories sometimes too.

Perfect is my little Vera.

(this is Vera in 2008 after she got all groomed up fancy)

I know that I wrote about her before but it's been a very long time ago.

She's of course another rescue.

A beautiful grey miniature poodle hidden under dirty matted hair.

She's the kind of dog that no matter what, would never bite.

She sits silently and patiently as she's groomed.

They have pulled a loose tooth with her wide awake and she just let them.

All she wants are snuggles and kisses in return.

So...

I went to shave Vera last Wednesday night.
I've been shaving the poodles like Serta sheep with skinny legs and fluffy bodies.
Because of that fluffiness I didn't realize that Vera's belly was extremely swollen and her back legs very puffy until I started shaving her.

I brought her into work me the next morning and they did X-rays
and then an ultrasound and they found a HUGE mass.
Too big to remove and most likely attached to one or more organs.
She's 13 years old.
Since she's still eating and running around and even still jumps up on the bed, they don't think she's in pain.
They say if she quits eating then it's time.

They also said she's losing some blood and there is probably some internal bleeding.
They said she might end up bleeding out sometime but that it's not a bad way to go.
Meaning she could just pass away some time.

I gotta say, sometimes it's really hard to focus on the positives and remain upbeat.

UPDATE

This Friday (today) her belly was as big as a basketball and her hind legs and hocks were triple their size.

I'm now giving her twice daily injections of Salix to get rid of all the fluid she's retaining.
She was so bloated that you could lay your hand on her belly and it would become moist.

I asked one of the vets how long she had.

She said it could be a day or it could be weeks.

I added "or months?"

But she sadly shook her head and said 

No, not months.

So...

I'm not asking for prayers or healing thoughts.

This is not something that is going to get better.

I hesitated even sharing this but...

I do share just about everything and...

well...if I didn't share I would feel like once again, Vera the perfect dog,
wouldn't get the attention she deserved.

If anything I guess I just want everyone to take a few extra moments out of their day
and hug and love on those who don't get their fair share.

Those who are so good that they don't get constant attention.

I know that's what I'll be doing in these final days.