Sequoia-Part 2

Sequoia is our first 'baby'. She is a Malamute/Chow mix. You can read how she came into our lives in 'Sequoia-Part 1' (Posted May 24th '07). If we are lucky, she is going be turning 12 years old this September. The average age for a dog her size is around 10 years old, so we already are very lucky to still have her around. Last year we had her groomed, and she could not walk for several days. We ended up putting her on a pain medication for aging dogs called Zubrin. She thankfully started to walk again, but she still had a hard time getting around. Especially after we moved to our new home, she slipped a lot on the wood floors. After she got used to walking on the wood floors she started to get a lot of energy back. She started to run around in the back yard, and jump up when she got excited. We then started to give her the pain medication only when needed, which wasn't often. She just had a new lease on life, and it seemed like she was aging backwards! We think part of it might be the new food we have her on which is supposed to be a really great brand, but we also think she too has been changed with our new addition to our home, our wonderful baby Liam. She has been so sweet with him, and we think she really loves him.

I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have not taken her to get groomed for a whole year! She absolutely hates going to get groomed ever since she was a puppy and she ended up having hip dysplasia, and having her hips blown out of her socket. She fights going there, and she fights getting groomed, and it is so hard on her body. With her being 11 years old, and pretty frail now, I have dreaded taking her because of how she could not walk the last time I took her. I fear that she may not be able to walk again, and the medicine just might not help this time. But, alas she just could not go another day without a bath, she just stinks too much! (Sorry girl, but you do.) Anyway, she is scheduled for a grooming this week, and I have given her the pain meds all this week, so I am hoping she makes it through this time!

We know she does not have much time left on this earth, but we sure would love her to have a little more time with our little guy.



Update On Sequoia-(5-7-08)

She did very well with her groom. The meds really helped. She looks and smells beautiful, and she has a clean bill of health. She is an amazing dog!