Mr. Moose at Therapy and Other Random Pics

[AubreyMo]

Bear with me as I overload you all with photos of my precious bear. We'd like to thank you for all the sweet love, support, prayers and comments you've sent our way. Definitely feeling them.

Some random shots:
With me and Mila at Petsmart, I look crazy - sorry.

Watching over my nieces when they slept over.

(My favorite, newf lifeguard on duty!)

At therapy:

 

[robertjt]

Aw, poor Moose. My heart is still breaking. Enjoy every second you have with him. I love that lifeguard photo. He's a handsome fellow!!

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

This one right here absolutely broke my heart!!

 

[Milliejb]

Does he love the treadmill? My lab did. I think it was that kinda good pain feeling you get after a massage

 

[AubreyMo]

This one right here absolutely broke my heart!!

I know, that look really isn't fair. It gets him anything his little heart desires.

Last night he got hotdogs and shredded chicken added to his dinner. I'm sure we'll throw fresh raw steaks in now and then too. He'll be spoiled rotten (but kept at a healthy weight).

 

[AubreyMo]

Does he love the treadmill? My lab did. I think it was that kinda good pain feeling you get after a massage

He couldn't do the treadmill for very long. Since his fusions and hips are so bad, he couldn't fully extend his legs, so he would "crow hop" and try to keep his back legs together. It was just too painful for him. So our strategy became filling up the water until he's buoyant and weightless, and give him a good workout swim/walking back and forth for those balls. We'd chuck them in each end and he'd go get them. Or he'd smack a huge paw down on them and try to dive for them as they plummet... he soaked the whole room! We just called it a water play session and will continue to do that, sans-treadmill.

 

[TerriW]

Nothing can be done? My heart is breaking for you....

 

[snowdog]

:heart::heart::heart::heart::heart:
Moose is just love.
I don't even know what to say - and yet he is so fabulous I can't just look and not comment. Everything I have tried to write isn't even close to how I feel when I see your beautiful Moose in all these photos. Thank you for sharing them with us.

 

[AubreyMo]

Nothing can be done? My heart is breaking for you....

I'll be taking him to the leading ortho vet in Utah for another opinion. The vet I saw yesterday thinks I should put him out of his misery now, rather than wait for him to just continually get worse. However, he's still the same old Moose he's ever been and the only thing that has changed is my awareness of the issues...not the issues themselves. So I'll do what I can for him. I've seen such a huge change in his mobility today from therapy yesterday, so I think that's a good road to keep traveling down. Between that, pain meds, essential oils, supplements, good food, lots of rubs and relaxation and a LOT of love from everyone who knows him through here and in person, I think he's got a while yet. He'll let me know.

:heart::heart::heart::heart::heart:
Moose is just love.
I don't even know what to say - and yet he is so fabulous I can't just look and not comment. Everything I have tried to write isn't even close to how I feel when I see your beautiful Moose in all these photos. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Thank you for your sweet comments. I keep meaning to respond, there's so much love coming my way from every direction that I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude. I can't express how my heart is breaking but also starting to be at peace with it. It's nice that I have the time to do everything I can for him and give him a great rest of his life while properly say goodbye and put everything in it's place. It's crappy that it might be so soon - (no matter how soon it is, it will always be too soon.) It's just so surreal. I was expecting 4-5 years with him, not a matter of a few months. April 12th is our goal, his first birthday.

 

[victoria1140]

Don't feel guilty about second opinions .

When my vets told me Beau was seriously I'll l insisted on him being seen by a specialist in case anything could be done and we made damn sure he had everything he wanted.
If you had seen him he still wanted to see people and go for walks and swims .quality time is so important.

Keep telling yourself Moose doesnt know he is poorly and just do whatever he can do in his limited way.he is seriously cute in the tank though.

 

[KS Newf]

Wonderful, wonderful pictures! Prayers and positive energy streaming your way!

 

[TerriW]

I know I'm weird, but I would TOTALLY look into this link: http://vosdvm.org/

And write to some of the vets attending and ask if anyone would help look at your boy. Their conference is in Utah in two months. Appeal to them.... some of them may be Newf lovers.

 

[AubreyMo]

Don't feel guilty about second opinions .

When my vets told me Beau was seriously I'll l insisted on him being seen by a specialist in case anything could be done and we made damn sure he had everything he wanted.
If you had seen him he still wanted to see people and go for walks and swims .quality time is so important.

Keep telling yourself Moose doesnt know he is poorly and just do whatever he can do in his limited way.he is seriously cute in the tank though.

Beau was lucky to have such a loving mom, as is Munchkin. Moose still has that desire to please and greet and love on other people. When that spark goes out and he goes downhill, I'll know.

I know I'm weird, but I would TOTALLY look into this link: http://vosdvm.org/

And write to some of the vets attending and ask if anyone would help look at your boy. Their conference is in Utah in two months. Appeal to them.... some of them may be Newf lovers.

You are not weird, you are BRILLIANT. I'm making an appointment with one of them now but will email and see if any would be willing to take a look. I figure if nothing else, maybe Moose can help them learn more about his condition and help future dogs. Thank you for sending me that!!!

 

[cmorgan.1505]

Moose is such a sweet looking boy!

 

[TerriW]

Most doctors have a great sense of pride, and there might even be some group-think in place that would encourage a few to check him out together. Perhaps you can find a close place that would allow them to examine him. Maybe a pet store, grooming salon, hotel that accepts dogs, or a local vet or humane society. I think it's providential they will be at this vet ortho conference right in Utah. Good luck!

Oh my look at all the names on the sponsors list on that site.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Love us some Moose! He is a beautiful boy!!

 

[AubreyMo]

Most doctors have a great sense of pride, and there might even be some group-think in place that would encourage a few to check him out together. Perhaps you can find a close place that would allow them to examine him. Maybe a pet store, grooming salon, hotel that accepts dogs, or a local vet or humane society. I think it's providential they will be at this vet ortho conference right in Utah. Good luck!

Oh my look at all the names on the sponsors list on that site.

Seriously, thank you for that link. I've emailed them. The ortho vet I'm trying to get him into is in SLC, so we'll definitely have an ortho visit, and then hopefully some of these vets would like to see him. I think as a vet, why wouldn't you want to examine something that doesn't happen often? Even my breeders vet wanted records and more information. It's a good learning experience for all. I'll let you know if they reply and what the consensus is. Thanks again!

 

[anya]

Thank you for sharing these pictures. They are to be treasured. I'm praying for a miracle.

 

[AubreyMo]

The ortho vet thinks I should see a neuro vet because it's affecting his spinal cord. So off we go tomorrow at 11:00!

 

[dumainedogs]

Love the pictures. It is so hard to know what is best when faced with this kind of diagnosis. Still, you sound like you're facing it both with your heart and your head to give him the best life you can for as long as you can. Know that we're here cheering you on in your efforts.