What Ari has to Say.

Conversations with Marilyn concerning his health.

….Whole back end wobbly not losing use of only one leg but actually a leg and a half. Right leg can’t support and he can’t compensate. When he shifts his weight he falls over.
…. No headaches but dizziness.
…. Is your time up? He won’t answer it because he doesn’t want to think about it. He's in denial. He knows he’s not making it easier for me or him. He likes being a dog and doing things with me and sometimes being a clown. He’s been with me many times before… cliffs, centuries ago, involved once, dogs together (street dogs). What can I do? Love him and hold him.
….Stomach bloated but dry mouth which is why he drinks so much water. He feels kind of spacey or tipsy. He sees his mental capacities leaving but not dementia. Something physical pressing … most likely brain tumor.
…. He hates putting me through this and he wonders how I’ll ever survive without him to keep the girls in line. Loves me and hates the way he has to pee. (squatting)
…. Not long… 0-6 weeks. Very hard to say…

Kobie’s report (the caretaker – empathetic)

· Ari vomits in the back yard in the corner and doesn’t want to tell me.
· He’s trying to be strong and he’s not the dog he used to be and it’s sad.

Olivia’s report (into herself)

· Knows nothing she is so itchy. Give her drugs.(she says). it’s maddening…

Brita’s report (matter of fact)

· She knows that he’s not long for this world. Animals die. (Not rude but a reflective statement)
· Nothing she can do so she’s accepting it.· She’s sad that I’m sad and everything is heavy around here now.

Teddy

· He’s (Teddy) everywhere….everything’s fine….comfortable…at ease…· Fine with his resting place
· Ari’s coming soon but that’s ok since everyone gets along – they were together before.
· He’s watching all of us and he’s everywhere.

Addison's Disease - 2007

Addison's Disease

Ari started having trouble getting up in the morning January of 2007. The first diagnosis was Lumbar Stenosis, then mid January he was diagnosed with Anaplasmosis, a tick related disease. Then a few weeks later he was not eating well and one morning I woke up and he was in a coma.

After I rushed him to the vet where he was given a 50/50 chance, I learned more than I ever wanted to about an Addisonian Crisis. He slowly came out of it and several days later came home for the weekend. The next week, no eating again and blood tests revealed that his liver numbers were 10x normal. More IVs.

He now has to get a monthly Percorten shot and low doses of Prednisone to keep him going. Since then he stiffened up – Anaplasmosis again so once more being treated for that. In addition, he is borderline Pancreatic Insufficient and gets enzymes on his food and has some developed Spondylosis.

Ari aged overnight but his fun loving attitude never waivered. He still (September 2008) chases the school bus and keeps the yard free from critters. His Percortin shots have extended to 45 days apart and he seems to do well on 2.5 mg. of Prednisone daily.

During his Crisis he may have actually crossed over but returned because as I was driving him to Great Lakes Vet, THREE large deer crossed in front of me before my first turn. I turned the corner and again they crossed in front of me. It seemed a little weird at the time because they were so big and they didn't really hurry and I had to stop. After researching it I found this written:

The DEER represents entrance into the spirit world. Perhaps the symbol of the deer was used to represent the fleeting life review which occurs there shortly after arrival in the spirit world according to recent literature on near-death experiences.

When I talked to Marilyn Tokach, Animal Communicator, she had a very hard time connecting with Ari which was unusual but when she did, he told her it could go either way and was ok with whatever turned out. Because I'm a true dog lover, I told him that it was NOT ok and that he had more to do in THIS world!

You Almost Died You Know!

After he almost died from an Addisonian Crisis I spoke with him...

How are you feeling?*******pretty good…muscle ache between shoulder blade – maybe stress – maybe not stress...

Do you feel well enough to work?*******yea….doesn’t like the surprises like people coming from behind - this is disturbing to him… maybe too much pressure. He likes what he can see. He knows what to expect because it’s the regular guys … when a strange helper it bugs him.. He likes working in defense....

Do you know how close you came to not being here? ******yes he does – at one point he really zoned and was balancing – he was very aware and so on the edge that he had no strong opinion. He is glad to be back and is excited about the working again. He’s sorry he stressed me out and when asked what he likes he answered being outside and being with girls....

I’m thinking about getting a girl puppy to train so when you can’t trial anymore we can still go and you can get fun bites…. What would you think about that? And a girl so you could hang out together.******* A new puppy should be a girl and he could teach her to work very well. (I said bad things too like chasing the bus) and he said he can’t help it if she learns those things and that’s not bad anyway.