Animal update from our house..... Long, 3 pictures, one graphic.

17 years ago

It's been a long time coming, but we finally had to put our oldest dog to sleep a couple of weeks ago, on election day. Autumn was over 15 years old and a big dog, probably part coyote and part lab/shepherd. She had been declining for months and since she was Woody's dog, it had to be his decision. We had hoped that she would just pass away naturally, but nothing is ever that easy and he was forced to make the decision which was really hard for him. She was a Daddy's girl, that's for sure.

Here she is in her prime, you would have barely recognized her though, she was so thin at the end but her heart just wouldn't quit. So it's been kind of sad around here, to say the least. Autumn was a great watch dog before her hearing went bad and this dog was the queen of the squeaky toy- when she was younger she could make a toy squeak 3 times more than any of the other dogs, or even us, we couldn't get it to do what she did, she just had a way with toys. And she loved to chase sassafras sticks, Woody would heave one as far as he could from the verandah and she would tear down a flight of stairs, sprint after it, get it out in the yard and bring it back up the stairs to him to do over and over. She never once fell or tripped and she was really moving out! This was a dog that we found as a puppy, broken on the side of the road. She had a broken leg, broken knee, broken pelvis, shotgun pellets in her, etc. She was a mess, but determined to live and enjoy life. And she did, for 15 years we had her.

I've ordered a mug with that first photo on it for Woody's birthday, he's going to love it. It'll say "Sweet Autumn, Daddy's girl..." in red letters underneath the photo. He'll be pleased, I think.

Now- Shanzie, the 4.5 year old collie- she has a lump on her left little toe, front.

She had surgery on it last week and the vet just called- she sent 4 samples to the lab of bone and tissue and they were unable to give her any good results, it was pretty inconclusive. They didn't find cancer, which is great, but they didn't say what's causing it, either. Osteomyelitis was suspected, that's a bone infection. So now we're sending the x-rays to MO to be read by a specialist to see what he thinks. Shoot. We were really hoping for something definitive from this, it's been almost 2 weeks already and she has a lump the size of a walnut on her little toe/lower wrist area. My kids are falling apart and all this just worries us to pieces.

OK, you're up to date on our animal woes. Keep your fingers crossed for us that Shanzie's problems are too large and are fixable, would you please? Thanks.

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Comments (22)

FlamingO in AR
Original Author
17 years ago
Last line- Shanzie's problems AREN'T too large..... sheesh. You knew what I meant, right?
susan_on
17 years ago
Im so sorry for your loss of Autumn. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. I hope Shanzie's problems don't end up being too serious. It's so hard to see them suffer.
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maryanntx
17 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear about Autumn. She was a beautiful dog. I bet Woody will love that mug.

I sure hope you get a good report on Shanzie's problem and that it's not serious.
nodakgal
17 years ago
(((Woody and Flamey)))
I know how painful of a decision it was for you with Autumn. She was a beauty and I agree Woody will treasure the cup! Flamey bless your heart for giving her such a fantastic life! I never knew how you'd found her.
I am sending my best thoughts on sweet Shanzie's problems!!! I hope Missouri has some answers for you and its something easy to fix. Poor gal.
Linda Wayman
17 years ago
I'm sory you had to say good bye to Autumn. She was a beautiful girl and a lucky too that she was found by you and Woody and had many good, happy years.

My best thoughts to you about Shanzie. Please let us know what you find out.

You and Woody are in my thoughts Flamey.

Linda
grammahony
17 years ago
Yes, Autumn was a beautiful girl, but now she's back to her healthy self. Woody will love the mug I'm sure.
I hope Shanzie problem isn't serious. I know how worried you can get about your fur babies.
Leslie
Cherryfizz
17 years ago
Aw Flamey, that brought tears to my eyes. Autumn was a beautiful girl. Reminds me of my Arrow - he loved life and lived to 14 years old before we had to put him down. He loved chasing sticks too as does my Loki. He never tires. LOL

I am sorry your other pup is hurting too.

Sending hugs.

Anne
lydia1959
17 years ago
So sorry about Autumm. (((Woody and Mingo)))

Keeping my fingers crossed that Shanzie's problem is nothing to worry about.

You're good parents to your bunch.
trinitytx
17 years ago
Such a sad post, so I know how you must feel. It is so hard on us when we lose a pet or they are not well.

I wish you all well.

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Mystical Manns
17 years ago
What a beautiful girl Autumn was, Flamey. I'm so sorry for the decision that Woody was forced to make, it's really terribly hard to do the right thing.

The week before your Autumn passed, we lost our Woofman Jack ... the pain is still so intense, I understand totally what you're going through.

While all dogs are wonderful, there are just some certain ones who were born to fill our hearts with love. He'll love that mug, that's a really thoughtful gift for him.

And hugs and kisses to your Shanzie, I hope you hear some good news soon for her. I imagine it's difficult for her to walk with that lump on her toe!
janie_ga
17 years ago
Stewie says to give Shanzie an electric blanket set on medium while she waits (and he will come snuggle with her).
Kathsgrdn
17 years ago
I'm really sorry about Autumn and now Shanzie's foot. I hope it's nothing serious.
coral_ok
17 years ago
Ohhh, I'm so sorry about Autumn! Losing a pet is horrible, just horrible. People who don't love animals don't feel this pain, but then again, they miss out on a wonderful part of life. ((((((((Flamey))))))))
heatherinohio
17 years ago
I am very sorry to hear about your Autumn. What a beautiful dog she was. It melts my heart to read how she was found, and the life that she was blessed with at your house. I can only imagine how your heart must be hurting, again I am sorry. I send along special thoughts and heart healing hugs.

I think the mug sounds like an amazing birthday gift! Great idea. :)

Your Shanzie dog........ Not that any time is a good time, but GeeeeZ what horrible timing. :( I am glad that it didn't come back as cancer. That is a load off for sure. I hope that you find out whats going on soon though.

I have to say, from what I can see of Shanzie, she has some MASSIVE fluff skills. I would so enjoy burying my nose in her fur. :)

Keep us updated please.

((((Flamey & Woody))))
FlamingO in AR
Original Author
17 years ago
Awwww, thanks so much for commiserating with me. It means a lot.

Autumn did have a good long life and that comforts us a lot. Her quality of life hadn't been too great lately, so I knew the time was coming but it's still a hard decision to make. Just ONCE, I want an elderly dog to pass away in it's sleep so we don't have to make that trek to the vet, crying coming and going. Just once. We're picking up her ashes later this week to bury with our first dog, Mariah and our other 2 cats, Tessie and Roughy. We've got quite a little graveyard going now, it seems. Headstones and all....

Shanzie- boy, this dog. She's either tearing out of the house to chase an imaginary coyote or gimping around the house because she's overdone it on that poor paw. She does have massive fluff skills, unfortunately you about have to sit on her to get to brush her, she really hates it. So I do a lot of trimming, don't tell Liz! You're not supposed to cut on collies! lol As for her lumpy toe, I suspect we'll be having that lump removed, if not the entire little toe up to the wrist, but we'll wait and see what the specialist in MO says. I know she can't go on like this, it's not getting any smaller.

Shanzie IS the cat-whisperer, Janie, so I know that she and Stewie would share that blankie just fine together. Right now she's plopped in front of the wood stove that her Daddy lit at 2:30 this morning, it's nice and toasty in here!

Stoney, I am so very sorry for YOUR loss, sweetie. I know how much Woofman meant to you and I know your heart is going to be a long time healing.

Thanks again, everyone. You are all so kind and loving, I know any animals that live at your houses are the luckiest little critters in the world!
lynn_d
17 years ago
Bless your poor broken hearts, Flamingo. It sounds like you gave Autumn your hearts and she returned them too you well loved. I'll be thinking of you and of Shanzie.
kim_okla
17 years ago
I'm sorry about Autumn and hoping for good news about Shanzie.

And Stoney, I'm sorry about Woofman.
marilyn_c
17 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear about Autumn...I know all too well that decision that we must make, but it gives you peace, knowing you did the right thing. She was a beautiful dog...and had a wonderful life.

I how Shanzie's problem turns out to be something that can be taken care of, or at least managed.

Hugs to you and Woody!
gardenspice
17 years ago
So kind of Woody to make the right decision for Autumn. I imagine that she was holding on for the two of you - she just did not know that it was OK to go. After being picked up on the roadside in the condition you found her, she must have loved her people beyong compare. You gave her a long and happy life.
I tell ya, if I came back as a dog (or a cat), I'd want to live at your house.
Best thoughts for Shanzie - I'm hoping it is a small thing.
declansmom
17 years ago
First, let me say that Autumn is just gorgeous. Aside from the tall ears, my Declan looks just like her. I am so very sorry for your loss. 15 years is wonderful and I am sure that you and your husband have great memories of such a special dog. I think your husband will cherish the mug you are having made.
I just wanted you to know that Shanzie will be in my thoughts and prayers....hoping for the best.
Granlan_TX
17 years ago
Oh Flamey, what a story about sweet Autumn; and what a heart she had, and so lucky to have been loved and rescued by you and Woody.

Good luck to beautiful Shanzie; hope there's a quick recovery for her.

Granlan Hugs
liz
17 years ago
I'M TELLING THE COLLIE WORLD THAT FLAMY CUTS ON HER SHANZIE!! ha ha...thought I wouldn't see this didn'tcha...

I am so sorry for your loss...I know how hard watching her decline has been on you and Woody and you are so right...it's hard to make that drive to the vet...but I gotta believe and you know you did the right thing Flames...no matter how hard it hurts...it hurts even worse to see their daily decline and suffering...i firmly believe their being well taken care of now...free from pain and suffering and someday we'll see our beloved buddies again.

now as for Shanzie...oh that poor little girl...i can't believe it's taking so long to find out the problem...don't these people know THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN and we CANT STAND to see them suffer!!...I hope it's nothing too too serious an will be an easy fix...typical woman...they go like mad and forget they got a hurty...give her lots of smoochin and lovin from her collie dog cousins in GA!!

Animal update from our house..... Long, 3 pictures, one graphic.

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FlamingO in AR
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