Life update

Posted on July 7, 2011 by riosmom

Holy Cow!!! it’s JULY!!! Not really certain how that happened. Must have blinked….

Yesterday was Rio’s last dose of CCNU, and per normal, she’s a bit tired this morning. Today is milestone #5 Months since her surgery. Yay, Rio!!! Only one more Vinblastine to go!

She’s got a downy new coat of hair, although its still pretty patchy in spots. I’m really pleased at how well the Trilostane seems to be working. She’s got lots of energy and is really playful — like her young self, pre-Cushings.

Day before yesterday, we took the girls to the beach for the first time this summer. It was almost 80 out and it just seemed like the perfect place to be. The tide was out too far for Rio to really swim (cuz I can only throw the squirrel so far….), but she had a blast in the water! The Golden Hippo swam so much, she can barely drag her carcass around the house. She and Zeff have been in a coma for the last two days…. Dogs just don’t know how to pace themselves… 🙂

They had a great holiday with friends and family. I think they were all too tired to even hear the fireworks (which is good, cuz they don’t like them very much). Dad turned on a loud movie, too, so that helped cover the sound of most of the ka-booms.

A moose emerges from the surf

Barney’s back in WA

Posted on June 25, 2011 by riosmom

If you’ve been following the Killbarney Tour Blog, you know that Barney has recently shown up here in Kingston for a visit with Rio (the Woo) and her Monkeybutt sisters, Zephyr (aka. Thunderbutt) and Tosca (aka. the Moose).

Hey, you smell...... interesting.....

I’m working on putting together a video of our Barney adventures. Hopefully, I’ll finish that sometime in the next decade or so… Barney’s definitely proven himself a worth adversary of the Woo! Who would have guessed???!!! I think he may be ready to usurp the title of King of the Monkeybutts, or at least give Rocket a run for his money. Anyhow, stay tuned for the rest of the story….

Another chemo, another day…

Posted on June 18, 2011 by riosmom

Rio had her nearly last chemo this week (only two more left, YAY!!!), and so far, she’s doing pretty darn good. She slept a lot today, but still had a good appetite and was pretty playful in between the naps. Her tummy’s a little upset this evening (I need a gas mask), but I’m confident that she’ll be back to her self in a day or so. Over the last couple of weeks, she’s been making some definite strides in the right direction — she’s been seriously funny, crazy, wanting to play, lots of energy, lots of silly. She seems to have more strength in her remaining rear leg and (pause for effect……..) she’s even started growing hair — truly! She’s got tiny little whiskers along her back, and when she stands in the light, you can see the new growth. Again, YAY!!!

Happiness is .... the Woo!

Continue reading →

I think it’s working!

Posted on June 6, 2011 by riosmom

It’s been a busy spring. Time is flying, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly four months since Rio’s surgery.

She’s been so funny the last few days. She seems like she’s feeling better, and I’m thinking, just maybe, the Trilostane must be kicking in. We had a second ACTH stimulation test last week and her numbers went from 8 down to 3.5. Her doc wanted her numbers between 2 and 5, so she was very happy with this result. Don’t ask me what it means, but it sounded good, like things are finally moving in the right direction! She’s even getting new whiskers on her back! I am feeling somewhat hopeful. Fingers crossed!!!!

We head off to Oregon (another road trip) today. The nephew is graduating from high school!!! We are only taking Rio this trip (and I’m feeling incredibly guilty about it) — but we will be staying at the in-law’s house, and their dog gets a little crazy when the girls roll in to town, ande starts peeing everywhere in the house. I guess maybe he feels threatened — lotsa big doggies invading his space. It’s totally understandable to me. Between the Moose, the Thunderbutt and the Woo, they are a whole lotta doggie!!! They will be in good hands, but I still feel like a bad mommy for leaving them.

I’m hoping things will slow down a bit this month so that I have a moment to breathe…..

Mexican hairless…..

Posted on May 21, 2011 by riosmom

Wow, May has gone by so fast….! It’s nearly June and my computer has finally been returned to me. It’s taken a couple of days to get everything reloaded and updated, so that it’s finally back to normal. You don’t really think about how much of your life is on your computer until it’s gone. Fortunately we have Time Machine and it had done a complete system back up just prior to having it’s meltdown! Otherwise, I’d be LOST!!! Continue reading →

Monkeybutt Central

Posted on May 7, 2011 by riosmom

So my mom is babysitting this weekend. More quadpawds!!! Fortunately, these ones are pretty small. (I think Tosca poops bigger than these two.) They are pampered city girls, and mom made them stay outside yesterday while we were working in the yard. It was pretty pathetic! They kept running to the porch every time someone went near it, because they thought they were going to get to go back inside. And then when they figured out that they were outside for good, they discovered that the inside of the greenhouse was warm and dry. So that’s where they spent most of the afternoon until dad said they could go back inside. Continue reading →

Back home….

Posted on April 27, 2011 by riosmom

Last Friday, we made an unplanned two-day trek to Westminster, Colorado. My husband’s grandmother passed away two weeks prior to her 94th birthday. Since I wasn’t willing to leave Rio, with her crazy med schedule and fancy diet, in the hands of someone else, we decided to drive out there. Continue reading →

Feeling much better!

Posted on April 17, 2011 by riosmom

Well, the rain is gone and we might even get some sun today. And happiness of all happinesses, Rio is feeling much better! The antibiotics have kicked in, the appetite is better, and mom is breathing another sigh of relief!!!!

And perfect timing, too, a special package arrived last night! What could it be?? Nope, not that silly purple dinosaurus, Barney.

I look good in red!!! Thanks Granny Kay!

Its our special birthday present! Thank you sooooooo much, Granny Kay!!!! Your timing couldn’t have been any better!

Check it out!!!!

This is sooooo comfy!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new blankie!

Update on treatment

Posted on April 15, 2011 by riosmom

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride the last couple of weeks with Rio’s treatments. Last week, she had a couple of days where her appetite and energy completely disappeared, to the point where her oncologist asked us to drive down for an unscheduled visit because she was worried about her. There was even talk about admitting her. But then she turned a corner and started perking back up. Her appetite returned with a vengeance and she played outside in the sunshine over the weekend. Crisis averted! Continue reading →

Hippo birdy to Woo!

Posted on April 13, 2011 by riosmom

Someday, this week, my Rio was born! Happy, happy day, whichever one it was!!! I met Rio on Father’s Day 2000, and “they” said she was about 8 weeks old. The sign on her cage said “German Shep/Lab Mix, Female.” She had recently been spayed, (yes, that young! The Humane Society won’t let a puppy go without sterilization, regardless of age.). She was ADORABLE! So tiny and sweet! My heart said, “MINE!!!!”

Being this cute is exhausting!