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To all my friends and family...as you know I just returned to the states after traveling this winter and when I returned, stayed at my old house with my old roomies, Whiskey and her dog Ozzy. It was a happy reunion, yet so heartbreaking when Ozzy didn't jump up with happy whimpers and tail wags that thump with joy to see me again, and to see the pain in Whiskey's eyes that she is losing her dog. Ozzy was just recently diagnosed with zDM- Degenerative myelopathy- which is an incurable progressive disease of the spinal cord that is similar in many ways to human MS and ALS. It's never a good time in anyone's life to go thru this sort of thing and vet bills are never cheap. I just want to lend a helping hand during this time for my dear friend so she can focus on spending time with Ozzy opposed to stressing over finances, and if any of you can help it would go beyond words of appreciation. Thank you for taking your time to read this, it means a lot.
(Whiskey also wrote this about her four legged best friend and wants to thank all of you during this hard time.....)
As some of you may have heard, my main dude Sir Ozwald Charming aka Ozzy, the Prince of darkness, OzzPaws, Ozzfest, Fuzzwald, sponge mouf, ozzmanianDevil, squish face, the worm, turdbird, Shnoz, mr handsome, mr Fuzz, Droolian, Druuuuuu, muppethead, matador, littleman, and his newest nickname James Brown Has been dealing with some unfortunate and Really stupid health problems. It was a month or so ago when I noticed Oz was acting strange. His was stiff getting out of bed, he was hiding in dark rooms, not stoked on eating food, which is Never cool and when he would eat he would puke an hour later. Seeing my former canine companion Jynx present similar symptoms, I was really worried he may have cancer like she did.
Lucky for us, all of the X-rays, ultrasounds , blood work, and specialized organ tests came back negative ! The vet assured me that nothing was wrong structurally with Oz, and that his symptoms were most likely because he injured himself running or something of the like. Due to his upset guts, decreased energy, and depressive feelings, and arthritic pain, we started Oz with some acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
It all seems like a blur right now, but within a matter of days after our initial vet visit, Ozzys behavior and physical well-being was drastically changing. In the last month, he has lost 10 pounds and in the last week he has been walking with rear end harness and dog adventure boots to protect his feet from getting tore up on the concrete. After approximately 8 visits to the vet, Ozzy's suspected diagnosis is DM- ie. Degenerative myelopathy- which is an incurable progressive disease of the spinal cord that is similar in many ways to human MS and ALS. Progressive weakness and incoordination of the rear limbs are the first signs followed by incontinence, and eventually complete paralysis. Similar to MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds the neurons in the spinal cord causing a lack of communication between the nerves and the lower body of the animal and the brain.
I find this situation heartbreaking for many reasons as most of you can imagine. No parent should have to watch their pup stagger around like they r drunk and bloody up their poor feets cuz they drag on his knuckles while walking. I was raised by my wheelchair bound mother who suffered from MS and watching the chronic and progressive debilitation was beyond any words. The hardest part is not being able to hear Ozzy communicate his frustration and pain in words. I catch momentary sparkle-y glimpses of excitement in his eyes when I say his favorite buddies names and the word 'walk,, but I can also see the fear, shame, and the hurt in his eyes because he has no idea what is happening and why his body won't work the way it did months ago when we were romping in the woods on New Year's Day.
His most favorite moments feel like forever ago now that his condition has progressed so quickly. I don't see his jowls flapping in the wind when I look out the mirror in my truck. I haven't heard his tail go bizerk against the wall while he is a cry ass every time I come home. I miss seeing him run laps around the yard like the Tasmanian devil chasing Gordon or Charlie followed by games of who can piss the most and kick dirt at whoever is nearby. His stealth night moves when he creeps onto my bed, leaving me on the edge while he starfishes across it in the morning. And of course, one of my brothers favorites we like to call the 'dick dragon, where he does the longest downward dog slithery snake move off the couch while we all watch in awe of how long it takes .
me and fuzz want to say that we Love all of you who have supported us over the years.
All of the uncles, Tia's, and 4legged friends who have kept this family strong -
Thank you.
Let's HOLD Ozzy up with all the love and hundred hands and paws that love him so he doesn't have to struggle on his own so much.
"think of Ozzy as Benjamin button- he is just shrinking and getting tiny so that you can see him as the puppy you never knew him to be". For that tearful laugh, thank you Wife.
(Whiskey also wrote this about her four legged best friend and wants to thank all of you during this hard time.....)
As some of you may have heard, my main dude Sir Ozwald Charming aka Ozzy, the Prince of darkness, OzzPaws, Ozzfest, Fuzzwald, sponge mouf, ozzmanianDevil, squish face, the worm, turdbird, Shnoz, mr handsome, mr Fuzz, Droolian, Druuuuuu, muppethead, matador, littleman, and his newest nickname James Brown Has been dealing with some unfortunate and Really stupid health problems. It was a month or so ago when I noticed Oz was acting strange. His was stiff getting out of bed, he was hiding in dark rooms, not stoked on eating food, which is Never cool and when he would eat he would puke an hour later. Seeing my former canine companion Jynx present similar symptoms, I was really worried he may have cancer like she did.
Lucky for us, all of the X-rays, ultrasounds , blood work, and specialized organ tests came back negative ! The vet assured me that nothing was wrong structurally with Oz, and that his symptoms were most likely because he injured himself running or something of the like. Due to his upset guts, decreased energy, and depressive feelings, and arthritic pain, we started Oz with some acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
It all seems like a blur right now, but within a matter of days after our initial vet visit, Ozzys behavior and physical well-being was drastically changing. In the last month, he has lost 10 pounds and in the last week he has been walking with rear end harness and dog adventure boots to protect his feet from getting tore up on the concrete. After approximately 8 visits to the vet, Ozzy's suspected diagnosis is DM- ie. Degenerative myelopathy- which is an incurable progressive disease of the spinal cord that is similar in many ways to human MS and ALS. Progressive weakness and incoordination of the rear limbs are the first signs followed by incontinence, and eventually complete paralysis. Similar to MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that surrounds the neurons in the spinal cord causing a lack of communication between the nerves and the lower body of the animal and the brain.
I find this situation heartbreaking for many reasons as most of you can imagine. No parent should have to watch their pup stagger around like they r drunk and bloody up their poor feets cuz they drag on his knuckles while walking. I was raised by my wheelchair bound mother who suffered from MS and watching the chronic and progressive debilitation was beyond any words. The hardest part is not being able to hear Ozzy communicate his frustration and pain in words. I catch momentary sparkle-y glimpses of excitement in his eyes when I say his favorite buddies names and the word 'walk,, but I can also see the fear, shame, and the hurt in his eyes because he has no idea what is happening and why his body won't work the way it did months ago when we were romping in the woods on New Year's Day.
His most favorite moments feel like forever ago now that his condition has progressed so quickly. I don't see his jowls flapping in the wind when I look out the mirror in my truck. I haven't heard his tail go bizerk against the wall while he is a cry ass every time I come home. I miss seeing him run laps around the yard like the Tasmanian devil chasing Gordon or Charlie followed by games of who can piss the most and kick dirt at whoever is nearby. His stealth night moves when he creeps onto my bed, leaving me on the edge while he starfishes across it in the morning. And of course, one of my brothers favorites we like to call the 'dick dragon, where he does the longest downward dog slithery snake move off the couch while we all watch in awe of how long it takes .
me and fuzz want to say that we Love all of you who have supported us over the years.
All of the uncles, Tia's, and 4legged friends who have kept this family strong -
Thank you.
Let's HOLD Ozzy up with all the love and hundred hands and paws that love him so he doesn't have to struggle on his own so much.
"think of Ozzy as Benjamin button- he is just shrinking and getting tiny so that you can see him as the puppy you never knew him to be". For that tearful laugh, thank you Wife.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Hansen
Organizer
Portland, OR
J. Whiskey Northrop
Beneficiary